Photo: Castanet Staff - File Photo

The flu season has come early to our region of the province.

Normally, the flu virus doesn't start hitting in large numbers until late fall or early winter.

However, Dr. Kamran Golmohammadi, medical health officer with Interior Health, says 17 cases of the flu have already been reported. This compares with six at this time last year and four in 2014.

Half of the cases have been fully tested and, in each case, the patient suffered from the influenza A strain of the H3N2 virus.

Dr. Golmohammadi cautions this does not mean we are in for a particularly long or bad flu season.

"It is very difficult to predict what is going to happen in the coming weeks and months, but we closely monitor and review information," said Dr. Golmohammadi.

"We have a great collaborative effort across B.C. and Canada. Information is exchanged and we try to better understand how the disease pattern is evolving."

What is known is the H3N2 strain is the dominant strain of influenza A this year.

It's probably the deadliest strain of influenza, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.

"During seasons that H3N2 viruses dominate, the overall tally of hospitalizations and deaths tends to be higher, and the elderly in particular suffer most, although people of any age with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of severe influenza complications," said BCCDC expert, Dr. Danuta Skowronski.

"Published data indicate that the majority (about 80 per cent) of influenza deaths are associated with the H3N2 kind of virus. Most of those occur in the elderly."

The good news, though, is this year's flu vaccine provides protection against the H3N2 strain which has been detected in the community.

Dr. Golmohammadi said the flu vaccine is always the best way to protect yourself against the flu, as is good hygiene.

"Of course, stay home when you are sick, and pay particular attention to hand hygiene. Repeatedly wash your hands because those droplets due to contaminated hands can spread from one person to another."

Flu shots are free for many people in the province. Click here to determine if you are eligible.

Click here for a list of places you can go to obtain a flu vaccination.