Federal health authorities are expected to announce the official start of flu season in the coming days, with the rate of positive cases currently at 6.8%, higher than the average seasonal threshold of 5%.
“If percent positivity remains above this threshold next week, the start of the influenza season will be declared at the national level,” stated the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in its latest FluWatch report.
The Fluwatch report specifically reviewed the rate of influenza circulating through the community between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18..
The report found 1,849 cases were reported to PHAC, with the bulk of them being influenza A.
Between August and Nov. 18, 51 laboratory-confirmed flu outbreaks were reported, with 10 of those cases reported the week of Nov. 12 to Nov. 18.
Over that same 11-week period, there were a total of 332 hospitalizations for influenza throughout the country, with 46% of those hospitalized being over the age of 65.
Of those hospitalized, 11 died from influenza-associated causes, the report says.
It’s primarily influenza A that is driving the majority of outbreaks, however there has been one outbreak of the less common influenza B.
The majority of outbreaks, 32, occurred in long-term care facilities.
More signs that point to flu season being on the horizon is that a growing number of different regions are reporting influenza activity at an increased rate. Six provinces reported localized flu activity in week 46, with 90 influenza hospitalizations.
According to the report, about 2% of all visits to healthcare professionals in week 46 were for influenza-related illness.
Fluwatch also relies on volunteer participants to contribute their data for reporting, with 9,000 Canadians sending their information to Fluwatchers in week 46.
About 1.9% reported symptoms of coughing and fever and of those, around one fifth consulted a healthcare professional.
Symptoms of cough and fever can be a sign of several other respiratory illnesses as well, like Covid-19, RSV and the common cold. Fluwatchers help to track how many respiratory illnesses are in circulation at any given time.
Historically, the flu season can begin any time from late October and last until late May.
Canada’s flu season peaked early last year, with a positivity rate of 20% by early December before dropping over the next several weeks.
