ABSTRACT
Surveillance for Canada’s 2021–2022 seasonal influenza epidemic began in epidemiological week 35 (the week starting August 29, 2021) during the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global public health emergency. In the 2021–2022 surveillance season to date, there has been a return of persistent sporadic influenza activity, and the first influenza-associated hospitalizations since mid-2020 have been reported. However, as of week 52 (week ending 01/01/2022) activity has remained sporadic, and no influenza-confirmed outbreaks or epidemic activity have been detected. There has been a delay or absence in several traditional seasonal influenza milestones, including the declared start of the influenza season, marked by a threshold of 5% positivity, which historically has occurred on average in week 47. The 429 sporadic detections reported in Canada to date have occurred in 31 regions across seven provinces/territories. Nearly half (n=155/335, 46.3%) of reported cases have been in the paediatric (younger than 19 years) population. Three-quarters of the cases were influenza A detections (n=323/429, 75.3%). Of the subtyped influenza A detections, A(H3N2) predominated (n=83/86, 96.5%). Of the 12 viruses characterized by the National Microbiology Laboratory, 11 were seasonal strains. Among the seasonal strains characterized, only one was antigenically similar to the strains recommended for the 2021–2022 Northern Hemisphere vaccine, though all were sensitive to the antivirals, oseltamivir and zanamivir. Until very recently, seasonal influenza epidemics had not been reported since March 2020. Evidence on the re-emergence of seasonal influenza strains in Canada following the A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic shows that influenza A(H3N2) and B epidemics ceased through the 2009–2010 season and second wave of A(H1N1)pdm09, but then re-emerged in subsequent seasons to predominate causing epidemics of higher intensity than in the pre-pandemic seasons. When and where seasonal influenza epidemic activity resumes cannot be predicted, but model-based estimates and historical post-pandemic patterns of intensified epidemics warrant continued vigilance through the usual season and for out-of-season re-emergence. In addition, ongoing population preparedness measures, such as annual influenza vaccination to mitigate the intensity and burden of future seasonal influenza epidemic waves, should continue.
ABSTRACT
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused a pandemic that has disrupted supply chains globally. This black swan event is challenging industries from all sectors of the economy including those industries directly needed to produce items that safeguard us from the disease itself, especially personal protection equipment (N95 masks, face shields) and much needed consumables associated with testing and vaccine delivery (swabs, vials and viral transfer medium). Digital manufacturing, especially 3D printing, has been promulgated as an important approach for the rapid development of new products as well as a replacement manufacturing technique for many traditional manufacturing methods, including injection molding, when supply chains are disrupted. Herein we report the use of Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) for the design and large-scale deployment of nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs for testing of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infections in humans. NP swabs have been one of society's essential products hardest hit by the supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19. A latticed tip NP swab was designed and fabricated by DLS from a liquid resin previously developed and approved for use to make dental night guard devices. These latticed NP swabs demonstrated non-inferiority in a human clinical study of patients suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2.