Flu Hospitalizations Surge in Canada as H3N2 Strain Spreads

The rate of influenza-related hospitalizations in Canada has surged, nearly doubling compared to the previous week. According to the latest data from Health Canada, infections have increased by nearly 30 percent, with the week ending December 13, 2023 reporting 11,646 new cases. This figure indicates that 27.7 percent of all flu tests conducted returned positive results, a significant rise from the 20.2 percent positivity rate of the prior week, which recorded 6,799 new cases.

The escalation in flu cases is also reflected in hospitalization rates, which have climbed to 6.2 per 100,000 of the population, up from 3.6 the week before. Outbreaks across Canada have jumped dramatically, increasing from 91 to 186 in just one week. During this latest reporting period, 44 regions in 11 provinces and territories noted influenza activity.

Widespread Impact Across Canada

Health Canada has reported that “all indicators of influenza activity are high and increasing.” This includes widespread flu activity observed in regions throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec. The most vulnerable populations appear to be the youngest and oldest Canadians. The highest weekly hospitalization rates were seen among adults aged 65 years and over and children aged four years and younger. Notably, 44 percent of the new cases detected were in individuals aged 19 years or younger.

The dominant strain of the virus circulating in Canada and the United States is the influenza A(H3N2) strain, including the subvariant A(H3N2) subclade K, as reported by the World Health Organization. In Ottawa, three children aged between five and nine have succumbed to complications related to influenza A. Health officials are urging all individuals over the age of six months to receive the flu vaccine.

In November, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario reported a staggering eightfold increase in flu cases among children compared to the same month last year. The number of hospitalizations among children also doubled. The hospital emphasized that “the flu is more than a bad cold,” highlighting that children under five are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller airways and developing immune systems.

Emergency Rooms Overwhelmed in Alberta

The situation in Alberta is particularly dire, with emergency rooms experiencing a surge of influenza patients as cases have jumped by 70 percent in one week. Health officials in the province are facing challenges in managing the rising number of patients, as flu spreads rapidly in schools and childcare facilities.

The current influenza season underscores the importance of vaccination and public health measures. As the flu continues to impact various regions across the country, Canadians are encouraged to take precautions and seek vaccination to mitigate the effects of this ongoing outbreak.