Respiratory illness season is in full swing

Huron Perth, ON – Respiratory illness season is in full swing. Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) reminds residents that simple prevention measures can help protect the health of our communities.

“Getting immunized, washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, wearing a mask when appropriate, and staying home when unwell will help limit the spread of respiratory illness,” says Dr. Miriam Klassen, HPPH medical officer of health. “Limiting the spread of illness helps to reduce the burden on our healthcare system,” she adds.

Current surveillance data show that influenza activity continues to be high across the province, including in Huron Perth.

Public Health Ontario provides up to date, thorough information on influenza, COVID-19 and RSV activity through the Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool (https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/Data-and-Analysis/Infectious-Disease/Respiratory-Virus-Tool). You can view respiratory virus data, such as number of cases and hospitalizations, for the entire province and for Huron Perth.

Additionally, HPPH posts active outbreaks in Huron Perth on our Outbreak Summary 2025–26 webpage (www.hpph.ca/outbreak). This summary includes all open and closed respiratory and enteric outbreaks in Huron Perth long-term care homes, retirement homes, and hospitals.

It’s not too late to get immunized.

Vaccines are the best way to protect against severe illness from respiratory viruses. Ontario residents aged six months and older are eligible to receive annual influenza and COVID-19 immunizations. Contact your healthcare provider or local pharmacy to ask about receiving these vaccines.

Select high-risk groups are eligible to receive RSV immunization, including adults aged 75 and older. Eligible adults should contact their primary care provider about getting the vaccine.

Infants and high-risk children can get the RSV monoclonal antibody through hospital maternal child units and primary care providers.

HPPH is continuing to offer COVID-19 and influenza immunizations to children four years of age and younger. For more information and to make an appointment, contact the immunization team at
1-888-221-2133 ext 3558.

To learn more about how to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, including information about immunizations, visit www.hpph.ca/reduceillness.