The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is investigating the death of a young boy that could have been caused by the flu.
The Health Unit reported the death of a child under five-years-old on Friday at the North Bay Regional Health Centre after the child was taken there with flu-like symptoms. A preliminary screen was positive for Influenza A but health officials are investigating further to find the cause of death.
H1N1 is the predominant flu strain circulating this year, but is a part of Canada’s regular flu season and has been since 2009.
Health Unit Medical Officer of Health Jim Chirico reassures everyone that this flu season is not seeing increases in the number of influenza cases, hospitalizations or deaths, but it is affecting younger people.
The Health Unit says the best way to protect against the flu is to get the flu shot which you can get by booking an appointment at your local health unit office, from your family doctor, or from select pharmacies.