EDMONTON - More Albertans than usual are falling ill with the flu this year.
Since August, there have been almost 800 confirmed cases of the flu in our province. About half of those cases were in Edmonton.
Most people were ill right around the holidays, in the last two weeks of December.
Those numbers are up from last year's total. And we're not in the clear yet.
Doctors expect we will have to contend with the flu virus for at least another four to six weeks.
Dr. Chris Sikora, Medical Officer with AHS, says prevention is the best defense when it comes to influenza.
"There's a lot of things any of us can do to keep healthy over the winter season. That's stopping transmission - cough into your sleeve, wash your hands, stay in as good shape as possible, - so fruits and veggies, exercise regularly. And the single best way to prevent getting the flu is to be immunized."
The vaccine is still freely available by appointment at AHS public health clinics, while some family doctors and pharmacists also offer the shot. It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective.
He adds that if you're sick you should stay home.
Flu symptoms include fever, aches and pains as well as a cough.
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2013.