Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Visitors to Stanton Territorial Hospital may be turned away if a flu outbreak currently sweeping through the South Slave reaches here.

Stanton Territorial Hospital will post signs on its doors and hallways if the flu outbreak intensifies and visiting restrictions are instated. - Lyndsay Herman/NNSL photo

Damien Healy, manager of communications for the Department of Health and Social Services, said restrictions are already in place at H. H. Williams Memorial Hospital in Hay River.

While health officials can't state the exact number of flu cases diagnosed in the territory, they can confirm the late season flu's presence in Yellowknife.

Wanda White, manager of health protection for the health department, attributes the outbreak to NWT residents returning from March break trips down south and from the Arctic Winter Games.

"The flu has already been present in the south," said White.

"You can watch (the flu outbreak) sweep across the country, usually starting in the east. You can actually see it move like a wave across the country."

She says Yellowknife can expect the outbreak to last two to three weeks, and does expect it to spread some more as students return from March break.

In the meantime,White advises those with flu symptoms other than the elderly and people with chronic health conditions to stay away from health care facilities.

"Don't overflow the hospitals or care facilities," she said.

"Stay home and take care of yourself. The flu spreads quickly between people in contact and we also want to protect the vulnerable and high-risk patients who are already in the hospitals."

The flu was responsible for 2,000 deaths in Canada last year. It can be very serious for children, the elderly, or individuals with chronic health conditions.

"The worry is that it can result in dehydration or move into the risk of pneumonia," White said.

Generally, flu season hits hardest around Christmas-time but White said the warm winter slowed its onset this year.

"The warm winter made a difference," she said. "People were able to go out, and do more things outdoors instead of staying in crowded and confined indoor areas where the flu spreads quickly."

Bernie Giacobbo, assistant superintendent of Yk Education District No. 1, said the late outbreak – especially as classes resume next week – is a definite cause for concern.

"We will be working with the department of health to make sure we're doing all we can," said Giacobbo.

He points out that Yellowknife's schools are some of the most densely occupied places in the city and can thus be a hotbed for flu.

"St. Joseph has 700 kids plus staff," he said.

"We have to be aware of the reality of what can happen. If you walk into that school at noon hour you'll see hundreds of students in the hallways, in a confined area. We also remind our teachers to take care of themselves. They work long days as is and when the kids aren't well their work is amplified. When they get rundown they are more vulnerable."

White said health officials may recommend local schools and daycares to do extra cleaning in classrooms and that any students with the flu be encouraged to stay home.

Flu symptoms can last anywhere from seven to 10 days but most people should start to feel better within three days. She recommends to anyone not feeling any improvement within 72 hours to see a health care provider.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.