Possible outbreak at area long-term care facility being investigated

AMHERST - It may be a little later than normal, but the annual flu season appears to have arrived in Cumberland County.
Public health officials are investigating a possible flu outbreak at a county long-term care facility and Jackie Beal of public health said it's only a matter of time before it starts springing up county-wide.
"It's all around us so it only serves to reason that it will be here," Beal said. "There has been sporadic activity in Capital District, Cape Breton and Colchester-East Hants and it's on Prince Edward Island."
Beal could not reveal the long-term care facility involved but suggested there's still lots people can do to either avoid the flu or minimize its impact.
The annual flu shot campaign has come to a conclusion, but she said by frequent hand washing and staying home when sick the spread of the flu can be controlled.
"We can't stress enough how important it is for people to wash their hands. Also, when someone coughs they should cough into their sleeve," Beal said. "Most importantly, if you're not feeling well, stay home. We tend to put so much pressure on people to show up for work even when they're not feeling the best. All they're doing by going to work when sick is risking the health of other employees."
Beal said there is a nasty case of gastroenteritis on the go in Cumberland County that includes vomiting, diarrhea, some aches and pains and in some cases a low-grade fever. Symptoms tend to last 24 to 36 hours and there's a 24-hour incubation period between when someone contracts it and begins to fall ill.
The flu season traditionally runs from November to April and has usually peaked by this time.
About 2,500 people are admitted to hospital annually with complications from the flu while 400 die.

dcole@amherstdaily.com