Yellowknife (Sep 20/04) - Health officials are worried by signs Nunavut could be in for an extremely bad flu season this year.

Six potential cases of the virus have surfaced in the Kitikmeot and another two in the Kivalliq.

Chief medical officer Dr. James Talbot hopes to head off this early attack of Influenza by raising warning flags around the territory.

Health officials generally consider October the start of flu season, which is what's so troublesome about reports in mid-September.

"There are some worrisome cases in Ontario right now," said Talbot. "Nunavut covers three time zones, so there are a lot of areas where it could come in from."

Last year Sanikiluaq in particular, Nunavut's southern-most community with a population of around 700, was hit hard in October last year. Health officials there became ill, which necessitated flying in extra workers into the remote region. Then in November, Cambridge Bay was hit hard by the bug.

Last year, 22.2 per cent of Nunavummiut got the flu shot -- the Canadian average was 25.8 per cent.

According to Health Canada, the flu kills about 1,500 Canadians each year.

To protect Nunavut against the spread of the virus:

- Wash your hands;

- If you have the flu, do not handle infants;

- If you think you may have the flu, do not visit elderly relatives;

- And, get the free flu vaccine which arrives at all Nunavut health centres in October.