Weekly influenza reports

July 23, 2023 to August 26, 2023 (weeks 30-34)

• At the national level, influenza activity has been stable and remains at interseasonal levels. Sporadic influenza activity continues to be reported in many regions across Canada.

Virologic

• In week 34, the percentage of tests positive for influenza was 0.6% and a total of 72 laboratory detections (66 influenza A and 6 influenza B) were reported.

Syndromic

• The percentage of visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 0.4% in week 34. The percentage of visits for ILI is below levels typical of this time of year.
• The percentage of FluWatchers reporting fever and cough was 1.2% in week 34 and has been increasing in recent weeks.

Outbreaks

• From August 28, 2022 to August 26, 2023 (weeks 35 to 34), 626 laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks have been reported (one laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreak was reported in week 34).

Severe Outcomes

• The highest cumulative hospitalization rate up to week 34 is among adults 65 years of age and older (137/100,000 population) and children under 5 years of age (131/100,000 population). The overall cumulative hospitalization rate this season to date is 51/100,000 population.

Other Notes

• This is the final FluWatch report of the 2022-2023 season. The next scheduled FluWatch report, the first of the 2023-2024 surveillance season (weeks 35-39) will be published October 6, 2023.
• Weekly reporting of laboratory detections of influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and other seasonal respiratory viruses will continue via our Respiratory Virus Detections Surveillance System.