Canada’s flu test positivity at highest level since 2020 season: report
The flu season in Canada is currently at its peak, with the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Flu Watch report showing a test positivity rate of 26.9 per cent and rising. This is the highest value since the start of the 2020-21 season, indicating a significant increase in influenza activity nationwide.
According to the report, influenza activity is highest in regions of Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta. However, it is more localized in regions of Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. The surveillance for influenza includes hospital-based data, weekly surveys of Canadians with respiratory symptoms, and individuals who test positive for the flu when seeking medical care.
Dr. Zain Chagla, an infectious disease physician at St. Joseph’s Healthcare and an associate professor at McMaster University, emphasized the importance of tracking the percentage of positivity over time to monitor the peak and burden of the flu season. By age group, most influenza detections and hospitalizations have been among individuals aged 65 and older.
In terms of severity, critical care numbers are comparable to previous years. The respiratory virus season typically peaks at nine weeks, and Canada is currently in its eighth week. Influenza spreads through coughs, sneezes, or face-to-face contact, with common symptoms including fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, or tiredness.
Interestingly, influenza had vanished during the COVID-19 pandemic due to public health measures. This highlights the impact that preventative measures can have on the spread of respiratory viruses. As flu activity continues to rise, it is crucial for individuals to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from the flu.
