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Flu claims four lives in Central Zone

Dec 20, 2018 | 4:05 PM

Four people died as a result of influenza over the past week, according to the latest data released Thursday by Alberta Health Services.

They are the first flu-related deaths reported in the Central Zone this season.

397 people in the Central Zone have had lab-confirmed cases of influenza over the past seven weeks, including 178 hospitalizations.

Province-wide, 15 Albertans have died from influenza so far this flu season – six in the Calgary Zone, four each in Central and Edmonton, and one in the North Zone.

“If someone who passes away is found to have influenza the likelihood is that underlying diseases contributed largely to that death. So it’s not attributed exclusively to influenza, but to other underlying illnesses as well,” notes Dr. Mohammed Mosli, medical officer health for AHS Central Zone.

AHS says it has administered 1,162,696 doses of influenza vaccine this season.

“Immunization last year reduced Albertans’ risk of influenza by 42 per cent. It’s imperative that people recognize that it is a very effective intervention,” Mosli recommends, adding that hand washing, staying home if you feel ill and avoiding those in high-risk categories as other effective way to prevent spreading the flu.