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By Caden Fanshaw

Health

BCEHS stats show flu season was severe for Northern B.C. children

Mar 21, 2023 | 3:12 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The flu season that faced British Columbians this winter was more severe than normal, an especially harsh battle for children.

Statistics from BC Emergency Health Services show more children were transported south for care than during the surges of COVID-19 seen last winter.

According to BCEHS, 17 children were transported south for care in December 2021, a year later that figure jumped up to 25, an increase of 47%.

January 2022 saw 14 outbound child transfers out of Northern Health while January 2023 spiked 71% as 24 children from the north headed south.

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Local Paediatrician Dr. Kirsten Miller said being sent south isn’t necessarily a bad thing due to the level of care.

“It is a little bit surprising to me that the numbers are double. I think that’s interesting. I think it relates to the flu season for sure,” said Dr. Miller.

Dr. Miller added she was surprised the numbers were so elevated based on her first-hand experience at the University Hospital of Northern BC. The longtime Paediatrician said more than likely rural hospitals were sending patients direct to BC Children’s Hospital rather than being flown to Prince George.

The University Hospital of Northern BC boasts the only dedicated pediatric unit in all of the Northern Health Authority making it a main hub outside of Southern BC.

The BCEHS team tasked with transferring children for care has been stretched according to the union representing paramedics in BC due to the flu season, seeing higher than normal call volumes and requests consistently.