Southwestern Public Health announced on Monday that it has confirmed the first lab-verified case of Influenza A for the 2025 season, marking the official start of flu season in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas.<\/p>\n
Dr. Ninh Tran, Medical Officer of Health, urges residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible, noting influenza can lead to serious complications, especially for high-risk individuals. \u201cYou can also help protect your loved ones by staying home when sick, washing hands frequently, and covering coughs and sneezes,\u201d Dr. Tran added.<\/p>\n
Free flu vaccines are available for the general public at healthcare providers and participating pharmacies, with limited appointments for children aged five and under available online. Since October 6th, COVID-19 and influenza vaccines have been available for high-risk groups and priority populations, with broader eligibility as of October 27th.<\/p>\n
Influenza and pneumonia remain among Canada\u2019s top ten leading causes of death, causing approximately 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths nationwide each year.<\/p>\n
Symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, and fatigue, and in severe cases, can be life-threatening.<\/p>\n