Visitor restrictions are in place at all Cape Breton hospitals and continuing care facilities as health officials work to prevent the spread of flu and flu-like illness.

The Cape Breton District Health Authority confirmed its first flu case two weeks ago and the number of cases is growing.

The district is also seeing an increase of staff members with flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms.

Symptoms include fever, headache, respiratory discomfort, general aches and pains, fatigue, congestion and heavy cough.

Under the restrictions, patients can have only two visitors at a time who are immediate family members or next-of-kin.

Children under the age of 12 are being asked to stay home, as are people who are either ill themselves or live with someone who is.

Visitors are also asked to follow any infection prevention and control measures in place, which could include wearing a hospital gown, gloves and masks and washing their hands.

These restrictions are in place at the following facilities:

  • Cape Breton Regional Hospital
  • Glace Bay Hospital
  • New Waterford Consolidated Hospital
  • Northside General Hospital
  • Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital
  • Buchanan Memorial Community Health Centre
  • Sacred Heart Community Health Centre
  • Victoria County Memorial Hospital
  • Harbourview Hospital
  • Taigh Na Mara

Health officials say the restrictions are a precautionary measure and will remain in place until further notice.

Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms is asked to contact their family doctor or call 811 if their symptoms change or worsen.