The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge Health Unit is reporting its first influenza case of the season.
HKPR is reminding people again to get their flu shot after the first case of Influenza was brought to its attention. HKPR says their lab confirmed that a person in the area has tested positive for influenza more commonly known as the flu.
Marianne Rock, the Manager of the Health Protection Division of the HKPR, says “typically, we see flu activity start to ramp up in mid- to late-November, and that is what we are again experiencing this year,” adding “now that we know flu is circulating in our area, we encourage local residents to take precautions and protect themselves and their loved ones from becoming sick.”
Rock explains getting the flu shot is important early on, saying “it can take a week or two for the antibodies to develop in the body to offer full protection against influenza.”
Aside from getting the flu shot, the health unit suggests washing your hands, staying home if you are sick and coughing and sneezing into your sleeve to limit the spread of germs.