Public Health Offers Preventative Measures While Respiratory Illness Season is in Full Swing

While respiratory illness season is in full swing, Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) provides residents with simple prevention measures that can help protect the health of the entire community.

According to HPPH, current surveillance data show influenza activity continues to be high across Ontario, including the region of Huron and Perth counties.

HPPH reminds residents that vaccines are the best way to protect against severe illness from respiratory viruses.

“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,” explains Dr. Miriam Klassen, HPPH medical officer of health.

It’s not too late to get immunized. Ontario residents aged six months and older are eligible to receive annual influenza and COVID-19 immunizations.

Select high-risk groups are eligible to receive RSV immunization, including adults aged 75 and older.

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

HPPH will continue to offer COVID-19 and influenza immunizations to children four years of age and younger.

“Limiting the spread of illness helps to reduce the burden on our healthcare system,” added Dr. Klassen.

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

Within that tool, respiratory virus data can be reviewed, such as number of cases and hospitalizations, for Ontario and for Huron and Perth counties.

Additionally, HPPH posts active outbreaks in Huron Perth on the Outbreak Summary 2025-2026 website: www.hpph.ca/outbreak

This summary includes all open and closed respiratory and enteric outbreaks in Huron and Perth long-term care homes, retirement homes and hospitals.

HPPH encourages residents to contact their healthcare provider or local pharmacy to ask about receiving these vaccines.

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