Grey Bruce Public Health is reporting the area’s first laboratory-confirmed influenza case of the 2024-25 respiratory illness season.

A Grey County resident has tested positive for Influenza A.

The timing of this first confirmed flu case of the season is more in line with the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first flu case of last year’s respiratory illness season was confirmed in early October 2023, while the first case of the 2022-23 season was confirmed in late September. The first cases of both the 2018-19 respiratory illness season and the 2019-20 season were confirmed in mid-November.

“Influenza A is a highly contagious virus that can cause mild to severe illness in individuals. People at higher risk of developing severe complications from the flu include seniors aged 65 and up, children younger than five years old, and people with certain chronic medical conditions,” says Gillian Jordan, Manager of GBPH’s Infectious Diseases program.

“To help curb the spread of the flu, Grey Bruce Public Health strongly urges people to get the flu shot as soon as possible and stay home when sick.”

The Ministry of Health recommends that all adults and children six months of age and older get the updated flu vaccine each fall as the influenza virus changes frequently. The flu shot takes about two weeks to take full effect.

In addition, the Ministry of Health recommends that all individuals six months of age and older receive the KP.2-containing COVID-19 vaccine this fall.

People can get the flu shot and the latest COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

The general public can receive this season’s flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine from their primary care provider or at a participating pharmacy.

Along with getting vaccinated, residents can protect themselves, their family members, and communities from respiratory illnesses by staying home when sick, cleaning hands and disinfecting high-touch surfaces frequently, and practicing coughing and sneezing etiquette.