Flu season kicks off in Canada, as confirmed by the Public Health Agency on Friday. Here's a snapshot from Monday, October 5, 2020, featuring the tools of the trade – needles and syringes – ready to administer flu shots. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tara Walton
Flu season has officially kicked off in Canada, according to a recent update from the federal Public Health Agency on Friday. The national FluWatch report, posted online, revealed that influenza activity has surpassed the seasonal threshold, marking the commencement of the flu season.
The report also indicated that the rate of positive flu tests remained above five percent for two consecutive weeks, reaching 7.5 percent as of November 25 for individuals tested across the country.
Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, noted a rising number of flu cases and emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated at this juncture. She highlighted that the initiation of the flu season in late November suggests a heightened prevalence of flu in late December and early January. McGeer recommended prompt vaccination, underscoring that the flu shot takes about two weeks to bolster the immune system, crucial for enjoying the upcoming holiday season without the misery of the flu.
While not all provinces and territories are currently reporting a five percent positivity rate, McGeer anticipates a catch-up and a subsequent increase in rates across regions. The predominant influenza strain, H1N1, is well-matched with the current vaccine. McGeer explained that while adults may have some resistance to H1N1, it tends to cause more disease in unvaccinated children, placing a heavier burden on emergency departments and pediatrics during H1N1-dominant flu seasons.
Despite the emphasis on flu vaccinations, McGeer expressed greater concern about the circulating levels of COVID-19 this year. Public Health Ontario's latest report revealed a 20 percent test positivity rate for COVID-19 in the province. McGeer urged vigilance, pointing out that hospitalizations and wastewater surveillance indicate a surge in COVID-19 cases in Canada. She stressed that the decrease in discussions about COVID hospitalizations does not imply a decrease in actual hospitalizations, predicting a potentially higher number of hospitalizations and deaths compared to the previous year.
The specialist particularly noted worries about the low uptake of the new COVID XBB-variant vaccine, signaling a potential challenge in controlling the impact of COVID-19 during this flu season.
