Spike in flu cases at Winnipeg Children's Hospital prompts visit restrictions

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is asking people to postpone visits to the Children's Hospital, if possible, after a number of children have been admitted with Type A influenza.

Visitor restrictions are in place including:

• If possible, postpone visits.
• Avoidbringing children or others who become sick easily to the hospital.
• Declineto visit if you yourself are ill or feel unwell.
• Remainin the unit with a patient during visits and practice diligent hand-washing.
• In the neonatal intensive care unit, visitors are restricted to parents, and visitors are limited to two at a time.

Dr. Terry Klassen, medical director of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Child Health Program, describes the spread as extensive, saying eight patients in intensive care have influenza and two patients who have since been discharged also have it.

"We have 28 patients confirmed on our wards and we don't test all the kids coming into emergency but we've seen increased volumes of children with symptoms suggesting influenza coming into our emergency department," he said.

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, said Klassen.

A number of young children have recently been admitted and needed specialized treatment, including oxygen masks and even a ventilator.

The WRHAhas these tips for staying healthy during flu season:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching your face, the face of your child or having contact with any other person who is ill.
• Stay home when sick, and keep sick children at home, as much as possible.
• Cover your cough by using a tissue, your sleeve or elbow, and avoid coughing into your hands;
• For symptoms that include fever, cough, fatigue, head and body achesor a runny nose, the best cure is to stay home and rest in bed.

Still, Klassen said the influenza spread is nothing to be alarmed about.

"It's not uncommon we monitor flu situations on an annual basis and it's happened before that we've implemented them," he said, referring to the precautions.