Yellowknife, N.W.T. - The Department of Health and Social Services is putting the word out about an increased number of flu cases in Yellowknife and Hay River.

It's being described as a strain of Influenza A, the most common form of the flu virus, and it's believed that it came into the area from people who have returned from March Break vacations.

The department's communicable disease specialist Wanda White said this outbreak is a little later than normal.

"We usually see flu activity around Christmas, post-people coming back from Christmas holiday, but this year flu is really late across the country."

According to White, most of the activity in the southern regions, such as Alberta and British Columbia, began about a month ago and she expects it will escalate quite a bit in the coming weeks.

As with any flu virus, White said people should stay home if they have symptoms.

"Unless you have people who are very vulnerable, cause you know, we see upwards of a couple thousand people who die every year of flu in Canada, but most people have the flu and they get better and it's best to stay home and not expose others."

White said one sure-fire way to beat the flu is get the flu shot.

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