Public Health Sudbury and Districts is reporting a very late start to the influenza season.
The local health unit says laboratory testing's confirmed the season's first cases of influenza A in its service area, noting - while the season normally runs from November to April - this aligns with a sharp increase in cases across Canada in the last few weeks.
It's urging residents to protect themselves from respiratory disease by following some of the same behaviours encouraged amid the COVID-19 pandemic: staying home when ill; handwashing; masking; and getting vaccinated - the vaccine is offered free of charge for anyone six months or older, and is particularly recommended for people with medical conditions who are at risk of developing complications from influenza.
PHSD acknowledges that influenza symptoms are common for other respiratory illnesses - including COVID-19 - making it difficult to know which you may have, so it's best to stay home if sick, take a COVID-19 self-assessment and follow recommendations, including wearing a mask when in close contact with others.