Winter is not over by a long shot, and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit says the risk of respiratory illness is still there.
The health unit provided an update on influenza, COVID-19, and RSV cases in Windsor-Essex during its board meeting Thursday afternoon at the Caboto Club in Windsor.
Windsor-Essex Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mehdi Aloosh said that flu and COVID-19 cases have been stable, but there has been a rise in RSV, a viral infection that can affect children.
Aloosh said wastewater samples indicated a rise in RSV, but acknowledged that the reporting of those cases is not as clear-cut as the flu or COVID-19.
"The challenge of RSV is that the reporting is not required," said Aloosh. "So we don't have a good grasp on the cases, but we have access to wastewater that helps us assess the situation."
Aloosh added that the rates of illness in Windsor-Essex are close to the provincial average.
"We are a little bit higher than the rest of the province for COVID-19 and RSV," said Aloosh.
Board members also reviewed information on food insecurity during the meeting. Aloosh pointed out that there is a correlation between that and any increase in illness.
"When people are at risk for food insecurity, they skip a meal, they reduce the quality of their meal," said Aloosh. "And they are constantly anxious about what's coming the next day. So this puts them at risk of not getting sufficient nutrients."
The health unit continues to stress the importance of vaccination to keep these infections in check.
Complete information about respiratory illnesses and immunizations can be found on the health unit's official website or by contacting your health care provider.
-with files from Maureen Revait
