The HSC Children's Hospital is dealing with an influenza outbreak on one of its units.

Lori Lamont, acting COO, vice-president Nursing and allied health with the WRHA, says an outbreak has been declared, with three lab-confirmed cases. Two cases means it's an outbreak, she says, and they're also seeing influenza-like symptoms elsewhere, in both kids and adults.

The Children's Hospital is taking preventative measures: it's encouraging the use of masks in patient care areas, bringing patients with similar symptoms together, and regularly screening patients. Signage is being posted across the affected unit as well.

The WRHA says influenza activity in the community remains moderate, but the strain this year seems to be causing more severe symptoms, resulting in more hospitalizations. Lamost says there's been a higher demand for admission than normal, resulting in overcrowding and congestion in inpatient areas and in emergency departments.

She says they've seen a spike in confirmed cases every day over the last 10 days.

"The levels we're seeing this week are as high as the levels we saw last year during the entire flu season," says Lamont.

Lamont encourages people with flu-like symptoms to stay home, rest, drink lots of fluids, and take over-the-counter medicine for symptoms like fever if necessary. She says if you aren't getting better or feel worse over a 24-48 hour period, don't hesitate to seek health services. She says you don't necessarily have to go to an emergency department for flu-like symptoms; contact a family physician or Health Links if symptoms persist; if you continue to feel really unwell Lamont says you are encouraged to seek attention at an emergency department.

"The number of cases at this point is high enough that we are concerned and we're certainly feeling the impact, but we'll continue to monitor it very closely daily over the holiday period."

Washing hands, not going out with crowds when feeling unwell, and getting vaccinated are some of the preventative measures Lamont recommends.

Lamont says Alberta and Saskatchewan have seen fairly significant outbreaks with larger numbers of quite ill people this year, so they're anticipating something similar here in Winnipeg over the next week or so.

Still, she says the Children's Hospital feels like it's in relatively good shape heading into the holidays.

Children, seniors, and people with underlying health conditions are most at risk for severe flu symptoms.