During an update to regional council Wednesday on the H1N1 virus in Halton, Nosal said young kids are more likely to get infected with the virus and possibly hospitalized but less likely to die than older populations.

However, he said it is important people do an assessment of their symptoms to determine their course of action — whether to stay at home, call Telehealth or see a doctor immediately. To assist in that process, the Region has put up three flow charts on its main webpage, www.halton.ca , for children under five years old as well as for those older than five who may or may not be at risk of complications from the flu.

Children under five and other at-risk groups, including those with underlying medical conditions and pregnant women, should seek medical attention if they have a fever and cough along with other symptoms such as a sore throat or lethargy, because they are candidates to be pre- scribed the anti-viral Tamiflu, Nosal said following the council meeting.

“From an influenza point of view, (a temperature of) 38 degrees — that’s the hallmark of the illness.”

During his update to council, Nosal noted 40 per cent of the patients in the region’s hospital emergency rooms Monday reported flu-like symptoms, much higher than the 10 per cent that is typical. There have been 13 hospitalizations of young people under the age of 20 due to H1N1, but no deaths.

On the same day, close to 60 per cent of the schools in the region reported absenteeism rates of greater than 2 per cent, he said, with seven schools reporting 10 per cent or more of their students not in attendance.

“Clearly, the second wave is here,” Nosal told council, adding there is currently far more activity than this past spring.

After his update to council, Nosal said he believes the community is in the midst of a three-to four-week peak period of H1N1 virus activity and that he would be “shocked” if this level of activity continued until Christmas.

However, he said it is extremely important for high-risk groups especially to get the H1N1 vaccination. They include:

• People under the age of 65 with chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease

• Pregnant women in the second half of their pregnancy or those who have concurrent medical conditions

• Healthy children six months to five years of age

• Health-care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential health-care services

• People living in remote and isolated communities

The Region is currently giving the shots to those priority recipients at locations in Acton and Oakville today and on the weekend.

On Monday, seven more public health clinics will open up to provide the vaccine to the total populace. The locations and times are available on the Region’s website or by calling 311.

Tim Foran can be reached at tforan@miltoncanadianchampion.com .