The flu bug doesn't seem to have much bite this season. Dr. Shelley Buchan, Medical Officer of Health for Central Region said "We do know that out there in communities there are lots of people with colds and cases of gastrointestinal illness that's being spread around, but as far as influenza, we haven't received any reports from Cadham Lab yet indicating that influenza is here in Manitoba."

Buchan pointed out that nationally, there is some influenza activity in some of the other provinces, but it isn't widespread. She suggests it only a matter of time before influenza shows up in our province.

Dr. Buchan was asked if the unusually warm weather we've enjoyed this season has anything to do with keeping the flu bug at bay. "Influenza is spread primarily from person to person and when people gatherings in close quarters as they do during the holidays, opportunities for spread increases," Buchan pointed out. "If the weather is nice and people are outside more then there's a decreased chance for spread however, it is winter and people are still inside a lot and influenza comes every year, but at this point we're holding it off."

Buchan said frequently washing hands can cut your chances of catching a cold or the flu in half, and flu vaccines are still available for those who want to go that route in protecting themselves.