Key Takeaways
- The rate of hospitalization from influenza in Canada has nearly doubled compared to the previous week of available data.
- Infections are up almost 30 per cent, with 11,646 new cases of flu being detected for the week ending Dec. 13.
- The flu is landing more Canadians in the hospital, with hospitalizations at 6.2 people per 100,000 of the population.
- The youngest and oldest Canadians are getting hit the hardest, with the highest rate of weekly hospitalizations in adults aged 65 years and over and children aged four years and younger.
- The dominant strain being observed in Canada and the United States is the influenza A(H3N2) strain.
Introduction to the Influenza Outbreak
The latest figures from Health Canada show a significant increase in influenza cases and hospitalizations across the country. For the week ending Dec. 13, Canada saw 11,646 new cases of flu being detected, which means 27.7 per cent of all the tests conducted in the country came out positive. This represents an increase of 71 per cent compared to the week before, which saw 6,799 new cases and a positivity rate of 20.2 per cent. The flu is also landing more Canadians in the hospital, with hospitalizations at 6.2 people per 100,000 of the population — up from 3.6 the week before.
Influenza Activity Across Canada
The number of outbreaks reported around Canada soared from 91 in the first week of December to 186 for the week ending Dec. 13, data showed. During this week, 44 regions across 11 provinces and territories reported influenza activity. "All indicators of influenza activity are high and increasing. All regions throughout the country are reporting increasing influenza activity," Health Canada said on its website. "Widespread" flu activity was reported in 11 regions across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec. The youngest and oldest Canadians are getting hit the hardest, with the highest rate of weekly hospitalizations in adults aged 65 years and over and children aged four years and younger.
Dominant Strain and Vaccination Efforts
The dominant strain being observed in Canada and the United States is the influenza A(H3N2) strain, including a subvariant — A(H3N2) subclade K — the World Health Organization said. In Ottawa, three children between the ages of five and nine have died from influenza A-related complications, with the city’s health officials urging anyone over the age of six months to get vaccinated. Vaccination is crucial in preventing the spread of influenza, especially among high-risk groups such as the young and the elderly. Health officials are urging Canadians to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones from the flu.
Impact on Hospitals and Emergency Rooms
The surge in influenza cases is putting a strain on hospitals and emergency rooms across Canada. In November, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario saw eight times more children test positive for influenza compared with the same month last year and double the number of children who needed to be hospitalized with the flu. "The flu is more than a bad cold," the hospital, colloquially known as CHEO, said in a statement. "Children under five are at a higher risk of severe illness from influenza because they have smaller airways, and their immune systems are still developing. Even healthy kids can become seriously ill, and flu spreads quickly in schools and child-care settings." In Alberta, hospital emergency rooms are seeing a flood of influenza patients as cases in the province have jumped 70 per cent in a week.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The influenza outbreak in Canada is a serious concern, with the rate of hospitalization nearly doubling compared to the previous week of available data. The youngest and oldest Canadians are getting hit the hardest, and it is crucial that everyone takes steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from the flu. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the spread of influenza, and health officials are urging Canadians to get vaccinated as soon as possible. By taking this simple step, Canadians can help prevent the spread of the flu and reduce the strain on hospitals and emergency rooms. It is also essential to practice good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently and avoiding close contact with people who are sick, to prevent the spread of the flu. By working together, Canadians can help mitigate the impact of the influenza outbreak and keep their communities safe and healthy.