Flu season hits the Smoky Lake area hard, disrupts fundraising event

By Irene van der Kloet

Flu season is here, and it is going around hard in Smoky Lake and the surrounding area. Multiple flu bugs – officially referred to as influenza – seem to be keeping people sick at home, whether it is Covid or not. There has been a strong uptake of activities in the region lately, starting with the Truth and Reconciliation event on September 30, the Pumpkin Fair on October 1st, and of course, Thanksgiving on October 8. Next, the Smoky Lake Ag Society celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 29th. On that same day, Warspite celebrated Halloween with a party in the community hall. On the actual Halloween day, October 31st, children were going around the community for trick and treat. All those events, which during the Covid pandemic have been referred to as “super spreader” events, may have contributed to a larger number of people being sick than normally would be the case this time of the year, meaning that flu season has started early. It is undetermined if the bugs are all Covid related, as symptoms do not all align with Covid symptoms, and people get sick and test negative at the same time. H.A. Kostash school has been hit hard with 100 pupils sick; this was reason for Alberta Health Services to send a notice home to the parents describing the symptoms and providing recommendations to keep sick children home until they are free of fever for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication) and feel well enough to attend school again. With children not attending school during the fall break (Nov 7-11), it may help them get through this flu wave. Other locations and events are affected as well. On November 7th, the Smoky Lake County office was closed due to a large number of sick employees. The question is now what the effect of these respiratory diseases may be on events planned. The Smoky Lake Twinning committee has cancelled the Twinning Fundraiser event on November 18, an event to support Kosiv in Ukraine, where they are entering winter and supplies are down to the very minimum. However, the silent auction will take place as scheduled. A local and Métis Christmas market at Métis Crossing is scheduled on November 19, and an Indigenous Christmas market at Métis Crossing on December 3 and 4. The Kinette Club is planning their annual Angel Tree Toy Drive on November 24th. Alberta Health Services recommends that people get immunized against influenza, and because the virus constantly mutates, a new immunization is recommended each fall. Especially those who are immunocompromised are advised to take the vaccine as symptoms may hit them harder.