Flu season has officially begun in Canada, the federal public health agency said on Friday. The dominant strain now will be influenza A type H1N1, according to Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious diseases specialist. The rate of tests positive for flu has stayed above five percent for two consecutive weeks, with 7.5 percent of people tested across Canada being positive as of November 25.
Dr. McGeer urges Canadians to get their flu vaccine soon, as it takes about two weeks to prime people’s immune systems. She predicts that there will be a lot of flu at the end of December and the beginning of January. The flu shot is especially important, as H1N1 tends to cause a lot of disease in unvaccinated children.
While the flu season is concerning, Dr. McGeer is even more worried about the levels of COVID-19 circulating this year. Test positivity rates for COVID-19 in Ontario reached 20 percent, and surveillance data shows increasing cases of the virus. Dr. McGeer warns that just because hospitals have stopped reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations doesn’t mean that they aren’t occurring. She expects the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 and the number of deaths from the virus to surpass last year’s figures, especially due to the low uptake of the new COVID XBB-variant vaccine.
As the flu season starts in Canada, it is crucial for individuals to take preventive measures and get vaccinated against both the flu and COVID-19. The combination of the two viruses could lead to a significant strain on healthcare systems across the country. Health officials emphasize the importance of practicing good hygiene, wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and following public health guidelines to reduce the spread of these respiratory illnesses.
The Public Health Agency of Canada will continue monitoring flu activity closely and providing updates. It is essential for Canadians to stay informed and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their communities during this flu season.
