(Woman recovering from the flu image via Shutterstock)
WINNIPEG — Visitors to Health Sciences Centre’s Children’s Hospital are being asked to hold off on their visits if they happen to be sick.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says the hospital has seen a recent increase in the number of cases of influenza A.
“A number of young children have recently presented to hospital requiring admission and specialized treatment, including using oxygen masks and even being put on a ventilator,” the WRHA said in a release. “This is typically seen during waves of influenza and other respiratory viruses such as RSV.”
Visitor restrictions include postponing a visit if possible, avoiding bringing children or others who become sick easily to visit, declining to visit if you yourself are ill or feel unwell, remaining on the unit with a patient during visits and diligent hand-washing. On the neonatal intensive care unit, visitors are restricted to parents, and visitors are limited to two at a time.
Dr. Terry Klassen says influenza spreads through coughing and sneezing, but the virus can also live on surfaces such as countertops or doorknobs and on hands and clothing, so it can be easily transferred when a person touches something contaminated.
— Staff
