Updated: Mon Nov. 02 2009 19:16:57

ctvbc.ca

With eight members of the Vancouver Canucks injured so early in the season, the team can't afford to lose any players to the flu.

"Certainly we know if one of us gets sick, it's likely everybody has a chance of catching it," centre Kyle Wellwood said.

Although NHL athletes are in tip top shape, even elite players are vulnerable to H1N1. The virus is already wreaking havoc on several B.C. sports teams.

One of the hardest hit is the Victoria Grizzlies. About two weeks ago, a player tested positive for the H1N1 virus and now nearly half of the Junior A hockey team's roster is out with the flu. The sickness forced the team to cancel its game last weekend.

"The 10 guys out with the flu, its flu related...sore throats, sniffles and headaches," Coach Victor Gervais said.

The close proximity on the ice and in the locker room puts athletes at an increased risk. The Vancouver Canucks are at an even greater risk because they share water bottles.

"It's been shown H1N1 can exist up to 24 to 48 hours on plastic surfaces," University of B.C. microbiologist Bob Hancock said.

"Unless you actively try to disinfect water bottles -- that is a great risk of transmitting the virus."

And fans cheering on their hockey heroes may also be in harm's way. Studies show people are more susceptible to catching the virus in crowded situations.

But standing near someone who's sick isn't usually the problem. The main risk is an individual coughing virus particles into the air.

Gym concerns

With mounting concerns about H1N1, some people are beginning to wonder about the safety of their yoga mat or gym equipment.

Although the virus could exist on workout equipment or exercise mats, there would need to be a large amount of moisture droplets from a sneeze or saliva to transmit the virus.

Plus, many gyms are stepping up their cleaning protocol and urging people to wipe down their equipment afterward.

"If people do take precautions, any disinfectant will remove the flu virus quite readily," Hancock said.

Officials urge people to wash their hands before eating or touching your mouth.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Leah Hendry