Manitoba Health is reporting high activity of influenza in our province.

Dr. Brent Roussin is Chief Provincial Public Health Officer. He says flu season is certainly upon us.

Dr. Brent Roussin (Submitted photo)According to Dr. Roussin, both influenza A and influenza B are circulating around Manitoba. Flu season typically runs from about December until April. This year, it has been predominantly influenza B that has been making the rounds in Manitoba, which Dr. Roussin says is unusual for the early part of the season.

In fact, most recent statistics from Manitoba Health indicate there have been 272 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza B since September and 135 cases of influenza A.

Unlike influenza A, the B-strain is found only in humans and usually causes a less severe reaction. Dr. Roussin admits he is not sure why Influenza B has been the more popular strain thus far.

"Each flu season has some individual characteristics," he says. "This year for some reason we've seen B come much earlier than where it was and continue to circulate at levels higher than we normally see at this time of year."

Common symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, sore throat, cough, muscle pain and fatigue. Dr. Roussin says if you are feeling ill, your best move is to stay home. He encourages practicing good cough hygiene and urges plenty of hand washing.

Dr. Roussin says it is difficult to characterize the severity of the flu season so far. But, he says unfortunately, every year there are severe outcomes related to the flu, and this year is no exception. Earlier this week, a grade 12 student from Winnipeg died of complications due to influenza.

"Certainly it's such a tragedy anytime a young person dies or has a severe outcome," says Dr. Roussin. "Sympathies to the friends and family."

Dr. Roussin says the flu is currently circulating in all regions of our province. He notes there have been outbreaks in personal care homes already this season, but can not specify whether any of those were in southern Manitoba.

Meanwhile, Dr. Roussin also says it is not too late to get the flu shot. At last count, about 22 per cent of Manitoba residents have been immunized with the seasonal influenza vaccine. This year's flu vaccine has two strains of influenza A and two strains of influenza B. Dr. Roussin says it is too soon to know whether it was an effective match.