The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

By Lisa Tallyn METROLAND WEST MEDIA Flu season is mild so far, but it's not over yet "It's important to remember that in Canada, flu season typically runs into March or April. This means it's still possible to get sick with the flu in early spring." Dr. Robert Nosal, Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region 11 · Thursday, January 19, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com So far this flu season there's been a lot less fever, chills and coughing in Halton thanks to a dramatic drop in the number of flu cases. "It's been a very quiet season up until this point in regard to influenza," said Halton Regional Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Nosal. Nosal said most years in Halton there are 200 lab-confirmed cases of influenza A or B during flu season (November through April) and there could be thousands of actual cases that go unreportered because most people don't go to their doctors when they have the flu -- a respiratory illness that spreads rapidly from person to person. But, so far this flu season, there have only been three lab-confirmed cases in Halton. Those cases were in Oakville and Burlington -- two were young children; the other an elderly person. "In other years, by this point, we would have a lot more than three," said Nosal. The trend in Halton is also the case province-wide, said Nosal. So far, there have been only 57 lab-confirmed influenza cases in Ontario. Nosal said, normally that number would be in the hundreds, or even thousands. The Halton Region Health Department monitors other markers of flu activity including the absenteeism rate in schools, emergency room visits and outbreaks in long-term care facilities. "All the data fits," said Nosal. He said, to date, there have been no influenza outbreaks in longterm care facilities. However, there are currently five outbreaks in those types of facilities of enteric or norovirus infections that can occur in the stomach and intestines (three it's not too late to get a flu shot. "It's important to remember that in Canada, flu season typically runs into March or April. This means it's still possible to get sick with the flu in early spring," said Nosal. "We have seen some influenza activity in the community this year and getting the flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and to prevent spreading the virus to others." In addition to getting the flu shot it's important to wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water, cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand, and stay at home when you're sick. Dr. Robert Nosal facilities) and respiratory viruses (two) that aren't the flu. Last year in Halton, Nosal said there were a lot of flu cases in November and December, but traditionally most of the cases occur after the holiday season. So, why has the flu season been so mild so far? "I don't have a reason that I can pinpoint," said Nosal. He said some say it's due to the mild winter so far, which he said was a possibility. "I don't know why it's less," he said. But Nosal stressed the picture can change. "The flu can occur right up until March or April. The season is by no means over," he said. Halton Region Health Department has held 33 flu immunization clinics this season and immunized 13,800 people against the flu. The Region's last regularly scheduled flu immunization clinic takes place today (Jan. 19) from 4-8 p.m. in the auditorium at the Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Rd., in Oakville. Nosal said with the potential for flu cases still to come this season SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB 10.1 TM 4G ENABLED WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. Co-op renewable energy forums A workshop series could help residents set up co-operative renewable energy projects in their neighbourhoods. The series begins on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at Oakville Town Hall. It is hosted by the Hamilton Halton Energy Awareness Team (HHEAT), a collaboration between the Halton Environmental Network and Environment Hamilton. Early 2012 workshops will deal with the principals and stages involved in such a project. Future workshops in Burlington on Tuesday, Feb. 21 and Milton on Tuesday, March 20. There will also be meetings in Hamilton. "The HHEAT workshops will be rotating across different venues in Halton, so everyone can have the opportunity to participate," said Halton project co-ordinator, Anuja Ramgoolam. "It is imperative everyone strive to attend each workshop so they can get the most out of the process." The series has received funding from the Ontario Power Authority. The Oakville workshop runs from 6:30-9:30 p.m., in Committee Room 1 at 1225 Trafalgar Rd. Everyone is welcome. For information, contact Ramgoolam at 647-880-4656 or e-mail here.anujar@gmail.com. We thought we'd say "Happy New Year" by extending our holiday offer. Just activate any 2 of the hottest new smartphones on a Rogers Family Plan and get the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1TM on us. 3-yr. term voice & data plan required. Samsung Galaxy S II LTETM HTC RaiderTM SEE STORES FOR DETAILS. 2 Holiday Dr Brantford (519) 753-7393 Fairview Place 3455 Fairview St Burlington (905) 333-0959 1027 Speers Rd Oakville (905) 842-4280 3105 Dundas St West Mississauga (905) 820-0000 Niagara Square 7555 Montrose Road Niagara Falls (905) 353-0338 Thorold Stone Plaza 6161 Thorold Stone Rd Niagara Falls (905) 353-9753 RioCentre Oakville 478 Dundas St. West Oakville (416) 221-8111 100 4th Ave St Catharines (905) 684-4351 905 Queenston Rd. Stoney Creek (905) 664-1158 Offer only available from Rogers or Rogers Authorized Dealer locations until the earlier of Feb 6, 2012 or while quantities last to customers who activate two new lines (hardware upgrades excluded) on a Rogers Couples and Family Voice & Data Plan with a 3-yr. term and complete the online submission form at www.rogerspromotions.com/tabletoffer/ within 30 days of activation. Allow 3-4 weeks from online submission for delivery. Early cancellation fees or device savings recovery fees and/or service deactivation fee apply according to the terms of your agreement. Offer subject to change without notice, not redeemable for cash and may not be combined with any other offer. Limit one tablet per account. Customers who select expedited tablet delivery and cancel their service within 15 days of activation in accordance with their Rogers Wireless Service Agreement, rendering them ineligible for the $0 tablet, must return it in original condition or will be charged $679.99 (plus applicable taxes). See rogers.com/tabletgift for full terms and conditions. TMTrade-marks of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., used in Canada under licence. ©2012