Flu (influenza): FluWatch surveillance
On this page:
- FluWatch report
- Annual FluWatch report
- Current influenza activity in Canada
- Become a FluWatcher
- Become a FluWatch sentinel practitioner
- Weekly Respiratory Virus Detections report
- About FluWatch
FluWatch report
FluWatch is Canada's national surveillance system that monitors the spread of influenza and influenza-like illnesses. FluWatch reports with information on influenza activity in Canada are posted every Friday (during active influenza season).
Annual FluWatch report
Summary FluWatch reports with information on influenza activity in Canada for the previous year’s influenza seasons are posted every year.
Current influenza activity in Canada
Map of weekly influenza activity in Canada by region.
View current influenza activity map
Become a FluWatcher
FluWatchers are Canadian volunteers who normally track influenza-like illness (ILI), but with the global pandemic, they're also tracking COVID-19-like illness (CLI).
By tracking symptoms, you can help public health officials identify where influenza and COVID-19 may be circulating. Just answer 2 quick health-related questions each week.
It only takes about 15 seconds to complete and your answers are anonymous.
Influenza-like illness (IL) definition
Acute onset of respiratory illness with fever and cough and one or more of the following: sore throat, arthralgia, myalgia or prostration, which could be due to influenza virus.
- In children under 5, gastrointestinal symptoms may also be present.
- In patients under 5 or 65 and older, fever may not be prominent.
Become a FluWatch sentinel practitioner
The sentinel influenza-like-illness surveillance system is FluWatch's primary source for outpatient influenza monitoring data in Canada.
Physicians, nurse practitioners and registered nurses who are involved in primary care are welcome to become FluWatch sentinel practitioners.
Learn more about the FluWatch sentinel practitioner program or e-mail fluwatch-epigrippe@phac-aspc.gc.ca to sign up.
Weekly Respiratory Virus Detections report
The Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System monitors laboratory testing for flu and other respiratory viruses. Select laboratories across Canada report the number of tests performed and the number of tests positive each week.
Reports are posted every Thursday and contain data on laboratory testing for influenza and respiratory viruses in Canada.
About FluWatch
Learn more about the FluWatch influenza surveillance program and find resources to help you understand the FluWatch report.
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