January 14, 2014 – Influenza impacts Ontarians on an annual basis. Every year, the government ministries and other organizations undertake a number of activities to lessen the impacts of seasonal influenza in the province.

Below is a list of resources to assist Ontarians to better anticipate, prevent, mitigate and manage the impacts of influenza-related illnesses.

• This year, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MHLTC), Public Health Ontario and the Ministry of Labour have released Seasonal Influenza 2013/2014: Ontario’s Blueprint for Action, which outlines the action that the three organizations are taking to lessen the impacts of seasonal influenza in Ontario.
• The MHLTC’s seasonal influenza website, www.ontario.ca/flu, provides access to tools and resources to help support Ontarians throughout the influenza season.
• The MHLTC’s risk assessment statements, which are released each Monday, describe how the province is progressing throughout the season.
• MHTLC links to resources on care and treatment as well as occupational health and safety, and infection prevention and control.
• Best practice guidelines by the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Canada (AMMI) on the use of antiviral drugs to treat influenza.

Click here to read the original memorandum from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.