Posted on: November 15, 2022
Influenza activity in BC is starting early this year with a significant rise in cases in our Emergency Departments (ED) and acute care units. This is expected following the experiences of
southern hemisphere countries such as Australia and New Zealand, and the fact that we have not experienced a traditional influenza season on the Island for three years. We must be vigilant about all our patient populations!
Patients and visitors
We are still actively screening all visitors. This helps to limit visitors with illness from entering our facilities, but is not foolproof. Anyone arriving at facilities with respiratory symptoms is encouraged to wear a mask. Signage in EDs and staff in all units can help remind people of this measure. Staff should also follow droplet and contact precautions for their own safety and the safety of patients. Please provide tissues and waste receptacles for people to dispose of used tissues. If newspapers or magazines are soiled, dispose of them.
Hand hygiene
Hand hygiene is extremely important at all times and is one of the most effective tools in decreasing transmission to patients and amongst staff. Please encourage hand hygiene for health care providers, patients, and visitors in your department and provide patients and visitors with access to alcohol-based sanitizers.
Staff illness
Staff who feel unwell and have symptoms of illness are encouraged to stay home until symptoms are gone. Symptomatic staff are encouraged to focus on rest and recovery and to access sick time as needed. Influenza-like illness is not reportable to the Provincial Workplace Health Call Centre and is not compensable by WorkSafeBC.
Influenza vaccines
Island Health employees are encouraged to receive their annual influenza vaccine to help reduce severe illness and prevent spreading the virus to other people.
As per the provincial Influenza Prevention Policy, influenza vaccines are not mandatory for Island Health staff and medical staff if they follow personal protective equipment requirements. Island Health staff and medical staff are required to report their influenza vaccine status, indicating if/where they received an influenza vaccine or if they will wear the appropriate PPE.
Please self-report your influenza vaccine status using the appropriate link below:
Additional Resources
- Patient influenza-like illness: Contact the Infection Control Practitioner for your area or site
- Staff influenza-like illness: Contact the Occupational Health & Safety, Employee Health Nurse for your area or site
- Flu Vaccine page (intranet)
- For more information on the flu vaccine, visit BCCDC, healthlink.bc.ca, Island Health Influenza or call the influenza hotline (toll-free) at 1-250-544-7676 extension 27545#.