This year's strain of the flu virus was more complicated then they originally anticipated, according to a doctor with Alberta Health Service's Calgary Zone.

As of December 21, 1,567 cases of Influenza A and B have been reported in the Calgary Zone compared to 1,751 all of last season. While those numbers appear, Dr. Colin Del Castilho with the South Health Campus said the flu response is still manageable.

One of the reasons for the high numbers is that this year's flu shot didn't completely protect against this year's virus.

"The vaccine isn't a 100 percent match every year," said Dr. Del Castilho. "From what we're being told it sounds like this year, it wasn't that perfect match, so as a result of that we're seeing people who were vaccinated get the flu. Fortunately those people tend to get a milder course and they tend to recover."

Dr. Del Castilho said the flu shot is still the best way to help prevent the spread of the illness.

"I don't want people to be discouraged and not get the flu shot in future years. It's not going to be a perfect match every time but you still get some protection. It's definitely the biggest factor that we have out there to make sure that the numbers aren't even worse."

 

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