Weekly influenza reports

June 12, 2022 to June 18, 2022 (week 24)

• At the national level, influenza activity continued to decline to an influenza positivity rate of 4.8% indicating that Canada is nearing the end of its 2021-2022 late onset seasonal influenza epidemic. Despite the decline, sporadic and some limited localized influenza activity continues to be reported in most regions across the country.

Virologic

• In week 24, 596 laboratory detections (588 influenza A and 8 influenza B) were reported.
• Influenza A(H3N2) is the dominant subtype, representing 99% of sub-typed influenza A detections this season to date (August 29, 2021 to June 18, 2022).
• From August 29, 2021 to June 18, 2022 (weeks 35 to 24), among detections with detailed age information, nearly half (49%) were in children and teenagers (ages 0 to 19 years).

Syndromic

• The percentage of visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was 1.4% in week 24. The percentage visits for ILI remains above levels typical of this time of year.
• The percentage of FluWatchers reporting fever and cough was 1.3% in week 24. The percentage of FluWatchers who reported cough and fever has remained steady in recent weeks.

Outbreaks

• From August 29, 2021 to June 18, 2022 (weeks 35 to 24), 86 laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks have been reported. All laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks have occurred from week 11 (week of March 13 to 19, 2022) onwards.

Severe Outcomes

• From August 29, 2021 to June 18, 2022 (weeks 35 to 24), 699 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported from participating provinces and territories.
• The weekly number of influenza-associated pediatric hospitalizations reported by the IMPACT network has remained steady in recent weeks, but remains above levels typical of this time of year.

Other Notes

• The next scheduled FluWatch report (weeks 25-29) will be published July 29, 2022.
• Weekly reporting of laboratory detections of influenza and other seasonal respiratory viruses will continue via our Respiratory Virus Detections Surveillance System.