Later today Alberta Health Services will be releasing updated numbers on inluenza cases in the Calgary Region.

 Alberta may only be a few months into the notorious flu season but Alberta Health Services is saying so far its been quiet in regards to how many confirmed cases of influenza the organization as seen.

 Over one million Albertans have been vaccinated against influenza so far this season contributing to the "quiet" flu season the Calgary region is experiencing.

 Dr Jai Hu, Medical Officer for Alberta Health Services says it's hard to determine how severe the flu season will be but AHS is expecting a spike.

 "So far in the Calgary Zone, we have not seen too many cases of flu compared to the last season.That being said every year the flu hits peak intensity at different times of the year so right now we are just waiting for the bulk of our cases to come." 

AHS generally looks to the severity of the flu season in the southern hemisphere to attempted to predict how it will affect Albertans. 

"We always take a look at what is going on in the southern hemisphere to judge how our flu season may be here at home, Australia had a moderate flu season this year but again we could potentially see a more severe season here in Alberta and the Calgary Zone." 

Influenza is generally resistant to the treatment AHS uses to avoid contraction, doctors have been monitoring the resistance levels of influenza and have no seen an uptick in resistance. 

According to AHS residents of Alberta should receive their influenza vaccination regardless of age. "At any given year only 30% of Albertans get the flu vaccine.

We are particularly concerned with people that are a bit older or have pre-existing health concerns. realistically you should be getting vaccinated regardless of your age or health to prevent the chance of getting influenza."

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