ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To provide a summary of the weekly FluWatch report on influenza activity in Canada for the week of February 8-14, 2015. METHODS: The FluWatch programs consists of a network of sentinel laboratories, sentinel primary care practices, provincial and territorial ministries of health, and sentinel hospitals that report on the seven main influenza indictors on a weekly basis across Canada. Information is aggregated by the FluWatch program and disseminated through weekly reports during the activity influenza season and bi-weekly reports during the low season. RESULTS: In week 6, influenza activity levels declined for six surveillance indicators. Seven regions reported widespread activity: Ontario (2), Quebec (2), Manitoba (1), Prince Edward Island (1) and Newfoundland (1). Twenty-one regions reported localized activity: New Brunswick (7), Nova Scotia (5), Ontario (5), Alberta (1) and Manitoba (1), and 22 regions reported sporadic activity. The national influenza-like-illness (ILI) consultation rate decreased from the previous week to 44.5 consultations per 1,000, which is higher than expected levels for week 6. A total of 74 outbreaks have been reported this week and the majority of outbreaks this season have been reported in long-term care facilities (LTCF). Laboratory detections of influenza decreased from the previous week from 1,884 in week 5 to 1,625 in week 6. The number of positive respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) tests decreased to 914 RSV detections down from 1,110 RSV detections in week 5 and remains the second most frequently detected virus after influenza. To date, 4,817 influenza hospitalizations and 342 deaths have been reported through the national severe outcome surveillance system; with the majority reported in adults aged 65 and over. In the 2014-15 season, the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has characterized 194 influenza viruses and found that the majority of influenza A (H3N2) specimens tested to date was not optimally matched to the vaccine strain; but all those tested for resistance were all found to be sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Two Canadian studies, one by the Sentinel Physician Surveillance Network (SPSN) and the other by the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN), examined mid-season data on the current influenza vaccine's effectiveness and both studies observed little to no vaccine protection against the A(H3N2) virus. (See ID News). CONCLUSION: Influenza A (H3N2) continues to be the most common type of influenza affecting Canadians. In laboratory detections, hospitalizations and deaths, the majority of cases have been among seniors greater than 65 years of age. The patterns of many indicators such as laboratory detections and outbreaks have been similar to the 2012-13 season when influenza A (H3N2) also predominated. The NML and the SPSN study have found that the majority of the circulating influenza A (H3N2) specimens are not optimally matched to the vaccine strain. Several indicators have been continuously declining since week 1, indicating that the peak of the 2014-15 influenza season has passed. The FluWatch surveillance system will continue to monitor influenza activity throughout the remainder of the 2014-15 season and publish findings in the FluWatch report.
ABSTRACT
Middle East respiratory syndrome - Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) -- is a novel coronavirus that has caused a number of community-acquired cases and health care associated outbreaks in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as well as sporadic cases in other countries, especially in the Middle East. The evidence to date links MERS-CoV cases with exposure to camels, including camel products or to probable or confirmed human cases of MERS-CoV. It typically presents as an acute respiratory illness and is associated with a 35% mortality rate. Based on available information at this time, the current risk to Canadians for acquiring MERS-CoV infections is considered low. However, the International Health Regulations Committee concerning MERS-CoV has cautioned that the upsurge of cases seen this past spring (2014) may be predictive of an increase in cases related to the Hajj - an annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that took place in early October 2014. Although the overall risk is low, the Public Health Agency of Canada and its National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in close collaboration with provincial and territorial partners, the Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network (CPHLN) and infection prevention and control experts have developed a number of preparedness guidance documents and protocols to address the risk of an imported case of MERS-CoV in Canada.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This report summarizes influenza activity in Canada during the 2012-13 influenza season (August 26, 2012-August 24, 2013) from data obtained through the FluWatch surveillance program. METHODS: FluWatch collected information from six primary indicators of influenza activity that describe the epidemiologic and virologic behaviour of influenza in Canada: sentinel laboratory-based influenza detections; strain characterization and antiviral resistance for circulating influenza viruses; primary care consultation rates of influenza-like illness; regional influenza activity levels; influenza-associated severe outcomes; and pharmacy surveillance. RESULTS: The influenza season peaked nationally between late December 2012 and early January 2013 with influenza A(H3N2) identified as the predominant circulating influenza strain until early March, when influenza B became the predominant circulating strain. The cumulative reported hospitalization rates for all age groups were 25.0 per 100,000. Influenza A most greatly affected adults ≥65 years of age and influenza B most greatly affected children ≤19 years of age. CONCLUSION: The influenza season was moderately severe. When compared to the previous two seasons, which were considered relatively mild, there was a significant increase in laboratory detections for influenza, as well as hospitalizations associated with influenza in 2012-13.
