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The Health Sciences Centre Children’s Hospital is adding visitor restrictions after an increase in the number of Influenza A cases.
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said a number of kids with influenza symptoms have needed specialized treatment at the hospital, including oxygen masks and ventilators.
“A number of young children have recently presented to hospital requiring admission and specialized treatment, including using oxygen masks and even being put on a ventilator,” the WRHA said in a release. “This is typically seen during waves of influenza and other respiratory viruses such as RSV.”
Visitor restrictions include postponing a visit if possible, avoiding bringing children or others who become sick easily to visit, declining to visit if you yourself are ill or feel unwell, remaining on the unit with a patient during visits and diligent hand-washing. On the neonatal intensive care unit, visitors are restricted to parents, and visitors are limited to two at a time.
Dr. Terry Klassen says 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.
Agencies/Canadajournal
