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sy c g y s wi hmij jci a toiorofosu lrtst years flu outbreak i tested the ft0i system doctor says bydawnliersch v staff writer v hoping to stave off a major flu outbreak this winter markham health officials are offering free flu clinics beginning next month this is the perfect opportunity to make an impact on the community said dr stephen mclaren a markham family physi- cian arid chief of family practice at markham stouffville hospital instead of just taking care of our patients were looking at the community as a whole the timing is such that we can complement what family doctors aredding- the flu formally known as influenza is a serious upper respiratory infection usual ly characterized by an abrupt onset of fever arid cdugh often accompanied by fatigue muscle weakness and a hoarse voice the clinics have been organized by markham stouffville hospital in conjunction with york region health services although the groups began planning for flu clinics last winter muring the height of flu frenzy the healm ministry- has since announced it will offer free flu vaccines to all citizens thatwas an excellent move to have a government take advantage ofa product he said mclaren said it was clear to him during last years flu outbreak that the health care 1 system had become bvercapacitated due to a high number of flu patients for a period of about three or four- months doctors were really frustrated he said there was a very rapid rise injthe number of influenza flu cases beginning early in the season it seemed to affect a lot of people at once in fact the flu was responsible for between 70000 and 75000 hospital admissions in canada mclaren said through widespread vaccination health officials are hoping to prevent a repeat sce nario flu clinics will be offered in october for the elderly those in the health caie field and essential services such as firefighters and- paramedics and people who are at high risk of contracting the flu such as those younger than 65 who have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or cancer v clinics will be offered on weekdays on oct 10 11 and 12 from 530 to 830 pm at markham family physicians 377 church st suite 101 the markham medical centre 6633 hwy7 e suite 214 the markham town square health centre 8601 warden ave suite 23 and the town centre in whitchurchstouffville 37 sandiford instead of just taking care of our patients were looking at the community as a whole the timing is such thatwe can complement what family doctors aer doing the following week cliriics will be offered v oct 16 17 18 arid 19 from 530 prn to 830 pm- abmarkharh family physicians arid markham medical centre clinics will also be offered on saturdays on oct 14 and 21- at the millikeri mills community centre from 9 am to 12 pm and on sundayson oct 15 and 22 at the markville mall from 130 pm to 430 pm flu clinicswill alsbbe offered during the markham home show atjtlie fairgrounds building 1 on sat oct 21 at 2 pm and sunday oct 22 at 2 pm mclaren will also speak about sleep disorders at 1 pm the clinics will be offered to the general public on the weekdays of nov 2023 from- 530to 830 pm jit markham family physicians the markham medical centre the markham town square health centre and- the town centre in wwtchurchstouffville clinics will also be offered the following week on weekdays fromnov 2730 at markham family physicians and the markham medical centre on saturdays on nov 25 and dec 2 at milliken mils immunity centre from 9 am to 12 pm and on sundays on nov 26 and dec 3 at the markville mall from 130 to 430 prn those attending will receive information on the flu virus and a sticker for their medical v frevinfofmation session on the flu will also be held on oct 10 at 7 prri at the markham stouffville hospital auditorium mclaren warned those who received flu shots last year should still get vaccinated again this year because the antigens change those who should riot gettheflu vaccine include anyone with a serious infection ill- riess or fever anyone who has a severe allergy to eggs or a component of the vaccine such as r thimeirosal a- preservative in contact lens solution or gelatin for more information bri the flu vaccine call your family doctor or the york region health services health connection line at 1- 8003615653 v business as usual for animal shelter operating out wfiiile stateoftheart centre is built byjoanransberry staff writer eight trailers 30 staff members 25 kittens- it appears to be a makeshift oper ation- but its still business as usual for the- ontario society for the prevention of- cruelty to animals ospca officials of the animal welfare agency are overseeing the construc tion of a 20000squarefobt stafe-pf- me-art- animal village on 40 acres on woodbine avenue near vivian sideroad in stouffville until its built mefe operating out of trailers while die hew centre is designed to befthe rriost promirierit of its kind in north aihericacare given to the animals still hinges on a one ori one basis a few days ago 25 orphaned kit tens settled into the ospcas tempo rary quarters it is hopedthat each of tfie kittens will be adopted into a lov- inghome while others focus on the 79- rinillibn construction project sara hawtoris job is to make sure the pub lic knows kittensare available while a kitten adoption- fee is 70 the vospca gives a 35 rebate to anyone showing proof of spaying the fee includes the first set of boaster shots and a personalized collar the new ospca centre is being partially funded by the proceeds from thesale of existing ospca prop- erty located in newmarket the sale was finalized friday ospca executive assistant lindaday reported v meanwhile the new facility is- expected to be ready for use in the -spring- well work out of the trailers this wiriter said day the trailers are spacious and bright as well as a wildlife centre plans call for an animal care centre a vet erinary clinic a pet day care centre a library resource centre a pet adop tion centre a pet supply store a wildlife hospital a livestockbarn arid a public trail where people can walk their dogs and programs including violence prevention initiatives corii- munity services and fundraising work is also under way on the trail system saictdaythe public will appreciate it the animalservices will be geared to dogs and cats and other pets- as well the new headquarters will over see 25 ospca branches while it will be involved with its 34 affiliates the ospca helps animals by investigating cases of cruelty and neglect about 300 trained ospca investi- gators respond to thousands of cruel ty complaints every year while one of the ospca most important functions is providing temporary shelter to stray arid lost neglected arid unwarit- edpets sara hawton right provincial ani- mal care centre shelter manager of the ontario society for the prevention of cruelty to animals located bri woodbine avenue holds some of the more thari 25 kittens up for adoption at the shelter staff photosjoerd witteveen nnvwmhmks