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The Polson Special Care facility in Vernon (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)
Illness Outbreak

Influenza A outbreak confirmed at Vernon long term-care facility

Jan 30, 2026 | 12:32 PM

A respiratory infection outbreak was declared at a long term care facility in Vernon this week.

Interior Health said it confirmed an outbreak of Influenza A at the Polson Special Care facility Tuesday, Jan. 27. The outbreak was impacting the entire facility.

According to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, Influenza A causes cold-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, extreme tiredness, and cough. However, Influenza can lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure and other complications for high risk people such as the elderly and those with chronic diseases. 

Interior Health stated measures were in place to contain the outbreak. Those include rescheduling non-emergency medical appointments and outings, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing, more use of personal protective equipment, and limiting visitation.

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