Flu kills 1 person, sends 23 to hospital in London region over Christmas break

Health authorities say one person died and 23 were hospitalized in the London region from flu in this season's first reported cases of the illness.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit released the season's first influenza surveillance report Wednesday, saying flu activity was up in the London region from Dec. 15th, 2019 to Jan. 4th, 2020. 

Over that period, health officials say there were 66 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A and B, with the highest activity reported during the week of Christmas when 22 cases of influenza A and nine cases of influenza B were reported in the London area. 

That same week, almost one in five patients admitted to the region's emergency rooms showed flu symptoms, according to the report. Among paediatric cases in the region, that number doubled to two in five. 

"The flu starts to peak at a different time every year and we never know when it's going to be until it happens," said Dr. Alex Summers, the associate medical officer of health for the region.

"The fact that it's happening right now is about the appropriate window to see an increased number of flu cases in our region." 

The report states that in total, there have been two deaths and 28 people sent to hospital in 76 lab confirmed cases in two separate flu outbreaks in the London area since Sept. 1, 2019.

Health officials urged the public to get their flu shot, wash their hands regularly, to avoid getting sick and cover their coughs and sneezes and stay home if they're feeling sick to avoid spreading the illness.  

"It's not too late to get your flu shot," Summers said. "So if you haven't gotten it yet, make sure you get out to your pharmacy, your family physician, or your healthcare provider to get that vaccine."