Health officials are advising family members to delay visiting loved ones in personal care homes because of flu outbreaks.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says there have been 31 outbreaks of influenza-like illnesses this season at its 39 care homes, with 24 currently ongoing.
The health authority says this is a greater number of outbreaks than normally reported this time of year.
"What we would normally see is about a third of this activity, so it is very busy,” said Gina Trinidad from the WRHA. “They are one of the most frail - the elderly - in the system, and when they are hit with the flu it hits them really hard.”
Officials are not prohibiting relatives from visiting family members in care homes, but said they’re asking them to postpone their visits, if at all possible, especially if they themselves feel ill.
If they choose to visit, they’re being asked to speak to a staff member before entering a family member’s room to receive instructions on how to help prevent the spread of the flu.
Winnipeg health officials believe the outbreaks in the personal care homes have peaked, but it could be a different story in some northern communities.
MKO Grand Chief David Harper says three deaths in two northern First Nations are being investigated to see if they are linked to the flu.
He says remote areas are being hit the hardest so measures are being taken in some places.
"Schools have been closed and temporary measures have been taken where community activities have been set aside for now,” said Harper.
Back in Winnipeg, the WRHA said there have been deaths in personal care homes related to the flu but they don't have specific numbers yet.
WRHA officials can't yet say why the number of flu outbreaks has spiked in care homes this season.
- with a report from Jeff Keele
