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Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit reports rising number of flu cases in the region

January 3, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Influenza season has arrived early this year, and the number of people sick with the flu is quickly increasing in Ontario and Simcoe Muskoka.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit strongly recommends that people who have not yet received their flu shot get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves from severe illness this winter.

With the early start of flu season, the Health Unit is seeing a steep increase in the number of cases being reported.

The number of cases reported for the season to date is more than four times the number of cases reported for the same period in the last two flu seasons.

It is expected that those numbers will continue to increase for the next few weeks as people gather to spend time with friends and family during the holiday season.

Getting the flu shot is the best way to protect yourself from influenza and makes it less severe if you get sick.

This means your risk of needing medical care or being hospitalized for flu-related problems is significantly reduced.

People two years of age and older can receive their flu vaccine at participating local pharmacies and some health care providers.

Children aged six months to two years may receive the flu vaccine from a doctor, nurse, or health unit clinic by appointment. 

In addition to influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continue to spread. The same protective steps you use to avoid getting influenza will also help to prevent illness from these viruses. The COVID-19 vaccine is available free of charge to individuals aged six months and older at participating local pharmacies and some health care providers.

The health unit encourages people to check the Weekly Respiratory Virus Update on its website, consider their personal circumstances that may increase risk, and take appropriate precautions to protect themselves and others from transmission and severe illness. 

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