Compared to many jurisdictions across Ontario, the Brantford area had a late start to its flu season.
The Brant County Health Unit confirmed its first reported case of influenza Wednesday.
“This now confirms that people are ill with the virus in our community,” health unit infectious disease manager Ruth Gratton said in a press release.
“There are always many more people carrying the flu virus than we know about from lab tests, and people can pass the virus to other people up to 24 hours before they are sick.”
In Waterloo Region, two cases of influenza were reported in mid-November.
The London area saw its first reported case about two weeks later, while the Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit reported six cases as of last week.
Other communities across the province have also starting seeing this year’s influenza virus.
Health officials recommend residents receive flu shots to prevent the spread of the disease.
In Brantford, a flu shot clinic is being held Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Brant County Health Unit office on Terrace Hill Street.
Free parking is available at the back of the building.
