By James Peters

Flu bug hitting Kamloops seniors care facilities hard

Jan 4, 2017 | 9:47 AM

KAMLOOPS — The influenza bug is starting to run roughshod over Interior Health, and it’s hitting seniors care facilities particularly hard.

Pamela de Bruin is the manager of communicable diseases and immunization with Interior Health.

“We have seen 122 lab confirmed cases of influenza, and 75 per cent of those have been identified, or lab confirmed as H3N2. In seasons where H3N2 is the predominant kind circulating we can expect to see more of an impact on long term care facilities, and the elderly,” stated de Bruin.

Three Kamloops facilities are identified as in the midst of outbreaks.

They are Ridgeview Lodge, Brocklehurst Gemstone Care Centre and Berwick on the Park.

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In addition, Ponderosa Lodge is dealing with an outbreak of a separate gastrointestinal virus.

de Bruin says outbreaks like this are fairly typical at this time of year, after people have been socializing during the holidays.

“It is not unusual for influenza to become more prevalent. The number of infections seems to amplify over the holiday season given the greater social mixing that occurs with festivities this time of year.”