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FluWatch report: January 22, 2017 to January 28, 2017 (week 4)

Overall Summary

  • Influenza activity continues to be reported across Canada and a few regions are reporting widespread influenza activity.
  • All indicators (laboratory detections, influenza-like illness, outbreaks and hospitalizations) have either decreased or remained similar to the previous week.
  • In week 04, 51 outbreaks were reported, the majority in long-term care facilities and due to influenza A.
  • A(H3N2) continues to be the most common type of influenza affecting Canadians.
  • The majority of laboratory detections, hospitalizations and deaths have been among adults aged 65+ years.
  • For more information on the flu, see our Flu(influenza) web page.

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Organization:
Public Health Agency of Canada

Date published: 2017-02-03

Related Topics

Influenza/Influenza-like Illness Activity (geographic spread)

In week 04, all but four regions (two in NL, and one each in NB and MB) are reporting influenza or influenza-like illness activity. Sporadic influenza activity was reported in 24 regions across thirteen provinces and territories. Localized activity was reported in 21 regions across six provinces. Widespread activity was reported in two provinces (two regions each in BC and AB). For more details on a specific region, click on the map. 

Figure 1 – Map of overall influenza/ILI activity level by province and territory, Canada, week 4

Figure 1
Figure 1 Legend

Note: Influenza/ILI activity levels, as represented on this map, are assigned and reported by Provincial and Territorial Ministries of Health, based on laboratory confirmations, sentinel ILI rates and reported outbreaks. Please refer to detailed definitions at the end of the report. Maps from previous weeks, including any retrospective updates, are available in the mapping feature found in the Weekly Influenza Reports.

Figure 1 - Text Description

In week 04, all but four regions (two in NL, and one each in NB and MB) are reporting influenza or influenza-like illness activity. Sporadic influenza activity was reported in 24 regions across thirteen provinces and territories. Localized activity was reported in 21 regions across six provinces. Widespread activity was reported in two provinces (two regions each in AB and BC).

Laboratory Confirmed Influenza Detections

In week 04, the percentage of tests positive for influenza remained similar to the previous week at 23%. For data on other respiratory virus detections, see the Respiratory Virus Detections in Canada Report on the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) website.

Figure 2 – Number of positive influenza tests and percentage of tests positive, by type, subtype and report week, Canada, 2016-17, week 4

Figure 2

The shaded area indicates weeks where the positivity rate was at least 5% and a minimum of 15 positive tests were observed, signalling the start and end of seasonal influenza activity.

Figure 2 - Text Description
Figure 2 - Number of positive influenza tests and percentage of tests positive, by type, subtype and report week, Canada, 2016-17
Report Week A(Unsubtyped) A(H3) A(H1)pdm09 Influenza B
35 0 <5 0 0
36 <5 0 <5 9
37 <5 17 0 <5
38 11 28 <5 <5
39 14 41 <5 7
40 0 47 <5 <5
41 10 31 0 <5
42 14 49 <5 6
43 16 76 <5 <5
44 19 110 <5 9
45 31 150 <5 11
46 52 140 <5 7
47 54 200 0 9
48 91 272 <5 7
49 148 414 <5 12
50 305 467 <5 18
51 535 750 <5 17
52 857 1064 <5 33
1 1444 1360 <5 38
2 1516 2118 10 39
3 1354 1412 0 47
4 1313 1299 <5 48
5 0 0 0 0
6 0 0 0 0
7 0 0 0 0
8 0 0 0 0
9 0 0 0 0
10 0 0 0 0
11 0 0 0 0
12 0 0 0 0
13 0 0 0 0
14 0 0 0 0
15 0 0 0 0
16 0 0 0 0
17 0 0 0 0
18 0 0 0 0
19 0 0 0 0
20 0 0 0 0
21 0 0 0 0
22 0 0 0 0
23 0 0 0 0
24 0 0 0 0
25 0 0 0 0
26 0 0 0 0
27 0 0 0 0
28 0 0 0 0
29 0 0 0 0
30 0 0 0 0
31 0 0 0 0
32 0 0 0 0
33 0 0 0 0
34 0 0 0 0

Nationally in week 04, 2,586 positive influenza tests were reported, down from 2,667 tests reported in week 03. Many provinces and territories reported decreased influenza detections in week 04 but some regions such as the Atlantic region reported increased influenza detections from the previous week. To date, 17,914 laboratory confirmed influenza detections have been reported, of which 98% have been influenza A. Influenza A(H3N2) is the most common subtype detected, representing over 99% of subtyped influenza A detections (10038/10080). For more detailed weekly and cumulative influenza data, see the text descriptions for Figures 2 and 3 or the Respiratory Virus Detections in Canada Report.

Figure 3 – Cumulative numbers of positive influenza specimens by type/subtype and province/territory, Canada, 2016-17, week 4

Figure 3
Figure 3 - Text Description
Reporting
provincesTable Figure 3 - Footnote 1		 Weekly (January 22, 2017 to January 28, 2017) Cumulative (August 28, 2016 to January 28, 2016)
Influenza A B Influenza A B A & B
Total
A
Total		 A
(H1)pdm09		 A
(H3)		 ATable Figure 3 - Footnote UnS B
Total		 A
Total		 A
(H1)pdm09		 A
(H3)		 ATable Figure 3 - Footnote UnS B
Total
BC 529 0 183 346 17 2583 3 1118 1462 72 2655
AB 212 0 204 8 14 2975 8 2896 71 54 3029
SK 77 0 50 27 1 1085 0 554 531 13 1098
MB 43 0 1 42 0 100 0 49 51 10 110
ON 853 2 700 151 6 5901 28 4768 1105 64 5965
QC 669 0 55 614 8 4246 0 291 3954 106 4352
NB 65 0 10 55 0 180 1 28 151 3 183
NS 34 0 0 34 0 125 0 13 112 0 125
PE 20 0 20 0 1 73 1 72 0 1 74
NL 10 0 0 10 1 53 0 33 20 5 58
YT 2 0 0 2 0 189 0 142 47 1 190
NT 5 0 5 0 0 27 0 27 0 0 27
NU 19 0 19 0 0 47 0 47 0 1 48
Canada 2538 2 1247 1289 48 17584 41 10038 7504 330 17914
PercentageTable Figure 3 - Footnote 2 98% 0% 49% 51% 2% 98% 0% 57% 43% 2% 100%

To date, detailed information on age and type/subtype has been received for 12,694 laboratory confirmed influenza cases. Among cases with reported age and type/subtype information, adults aged 65+ accounted for almost half of the reported influenza cases and the largest proportion (45%) of influenza A (H3N2) cases. 

Table 1 - Weekly and cumulative numbers of positive influenza specimens by type, subtype and age-group reported through case-based laboratory reportingTable 1 - Footnote 1, Canada, 2016-17, week 4
Age groups (years) Weekly (January 22 to January 28, 2017) Cumulative (August 28, 2016 to January 28, 2017)
Influenza A B Influenza A B Influenza A and B
A Total A(H1) pdm09 A(H3) ATable 1 - Footnote UnS Total A Total A(H1) pdm09 A(H3) ATable 1 - Footnote UnS Total # %
<5 140 0 41 99 <5 >1010 <5 465 545 47 >1057 x%
5-19 147 0 54 93 5 >1235 <5 682 553 41 >1276 x%
20-44 185 0 67 118 <5 1944 6 1079 859 38 1982 16%
45-64 191 0 69 122 7 2131 10 1100 1021 48 2179 17%
65+ 604 0 172 432 13 >6119 <5 2775 3344 74 >6193 x%
Total 1267 0 403 864 29 12446 23 6101 6322 248 12694 100%
PercentageTable 1 - Footnote 2 98% 0% 32% 68% 2% 98% 0% 49% 51% 2%    

Syndromic/Influenza-like Illness Surveillance

Healthcare Professionals Sentinel Syndromic Surveillance

In week 04, 2.0% of visits to healthcare professionals were due to influenza-like illness.

Figure 4 - Percentage of visits for ILI reported by sentinels by report week, Canada, 2016-17, week 4

Number of Sentinels Reporting Week 04: 108

Figure 4

Delays in the reporting of data may cause data to change retrospectively. In BC, AB, and SK, data are compiled by a provincial sentinel surveillance program for reporting to FluWatch. Not all sentinel physicians report every week.

Figure 4 - Text Description
Figure 4 - Percentage of visits for ILI reported by sentinels by report week, Canada, 2016-17
Report week % Visits for ILI
35 0.96%
36 0.96%
37 0.98%
38 0.96%
39 0.94%
40 1.03%
41 2.41%
42 1.04%
43 1.01%
44 1.39%
45 1.32%
46 0.97%
47 1.11%
48 1.07%
49 1.08%
50 1.30%
51 1.73%
52 2.83%
1 1.96%
2 2.22%
3 1.96%
4 2.04%
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Are you a primary healthcare practitioner (General Practitioner, Nurse Practitioner or Registered Nurse) interested in becoming a FluWatch sentinel?
Please visit our Influenza Sentinel page for more details.

Influenza Outbreak Surveillance

In week 04, 51 laboratory confirmed influenza outbreaks were reported: 35 in long-term care (LTC) facilities, eight in hospitals and eight in institutional or community (other) settings. All outbreaks were due to influenza A. Of the outbreaks with known strains or subtypes, seven were due to influenza A(H3N2) and 23 were due to influenza A(UnS). An additional three outbreaks due to ILI were reported in schools.

To date this season, 598 outbreaks have been reported and the majority (68%) have occurred in LTC facilities. Compared to the same period in the 2014-15 season, the previous influenza A(H3N2)-predominant season, 1,146 outbreaks were reported, of which 75% occurred in LTC facilities. 

Figure 5 - Overall number of new laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaksFigure 5 - Footnote 1 by report week, Canada, 2016-17, week 4
Figure 5
Figure 5 - Text Description
Figure 5 - Overall number of new laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks by report week, Canada, 2016-17
Report week Hospitals Long Term Care Facilities Other
35 0 0 0
36 0 0 0
37 0 2 0
38 1 1 1
39 1 3 1
40 0 0 0
41 0 3 0
42 0 3 1
43 0 3 0
44 2 5 2
45 1 1 0
46 2 6 0
47 1 8 0
48 0 2 0
49 1 14 3
50 4 15 4
51 5 32 13
52 7 65 18
1 15 84 22
2 13 80 24
3 19 43 9
4 8 35 8
5 0 0 0
6 0 0 0
7 0 0 0
8 0 0 0
9 0 0 0
10 0 0 0
11 0 0 0
12 0 0 0
13 0 0 0
14 0 0 0
15 0 0 0
16 0 0 0
17 0 0 0
18 0 0 0
19 0 0 0
20 0 0 0
21 0 0 0
22 0 0 0
23 0 0 0
24 0 0 0
25 0 0 0
26 0 0 0
27 0 0 0
28 0 0 0
29 0 0 0
30 0 0 0
31 0 0 0
32 0 0 0
33 0 0 0
34 0 0 0

Provincial/Territorial Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths

In week 04, 423 influenza-associated hospitalizations were reported by participating provinces and territories*. Influenza A accounted for the majority of hospitalizations (97%). Adults aged 65+ accounted for the largest proportion of hospitalizations (69%). A total of six intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and 24 deaths were reported in week 04.

To date this season, 2,964 hospitalizations have been reported, of which 99% were due to influenza A. Among cases for which the subtype of influenza A was reported, almost all (1692/1698) were influenza A(H3N2). Adults 65+ accounted for 70% of the hospitalizations. One hundred and one ICU admissions and greater than 105 deaths have been reported. The majority of deaths were reported in adults aged 65+ years. 

Table 2 - Cumulative number of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths by age and influenza type reported by participating provinces and territories, Canada 2016-17, week 4
Age Groups (years) Cumulative (August 28, 2016 to Jan. 28 2017)
Hospitalizations ICU Admissions Deaths
Influenza A Total Influenza B Total Total [# (%)] Influenza A and B Total % Influenza A and B Total %
0-4 200 7 207 (7%) 7  7% 0 x%
5-19 122 7 129 (4%) 8  8% <5 x%
20-44 164 <5 >164 (x%) 8  8% 0 x%
45-64 391 <5 >391 (x%) 29  29% 16 x%
65+ 2042 25 2067 (70%) 49 48% 89 x%
Total 2919 45 2964 (100%) 101 100% >105  100%
Note: Influenza-associated hospitalizations are not reported to PHAC by: BC, NU, and QC. Only hospitalizations that require intensive medical care are reported by SK. ICU admissions
x Supressed to prevent residual disclosure

Sentinel Hospital Influenza Surveillance

Pediatric Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths

In week 04, 31 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated pediatric (≤16 years of age) hospitalizations were reported by the Immunization Monitoring Program Active (IMPACT) network. All cases were due to influenza A. The number of hospitalizations reported in week 04 is below the six year average for the same time period (Figure 7).

To date this season, 270 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated pediatric hospitalizations were reported by the IMPACT network. Children aged 0-23 months accounted for approximately 40% of hospitalizations. Influenza A accounted for 94% (n=253) of the reported hospitalizations, of which 45% (n=113) were influenza A(H3N2) and the remainder were A(UnS). Additionally, 45 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions have been reported, of which the largest proportion (29%) was reported in children 0-23 months. A total of 28 ICU cases reported at least one underlying condition or comorbidity. No deaths have been reported this season.

In 2014-15, the previous influenza A(H3N2)-predominant season, there were 467 hospitalizations, 53 ICU admissions and less than five deaths reported as of week 04. 

Figure 6 - Cumulative numbers of pediatric hospitalizations (≤16 years of age) with influenza by type and age-group reported by the IMPACT network, Canada, 2016-17, week 4

Figure 6
Figure 6 - Text Description
Figure 6 - Cumulative numbers of pediatric hospitalizations (≤16 years of age) with influenza by type and age-group reported by the IMPACT network, Canada, 2016-17
Age Group Total
0-5 mo 47
6-23 mo 59
2-4 yr 71
5-9 yr 47
10-16 yr 45

Figure 7 – Number of pediatric hospitalizations (≤16 years of age) with influenza reported by the IMPACT network, by week, Canada, 2016-17, week 4

Figure 7

The shaded area represents the maximum and minimum number of cases reported by week from seasons 2010-11 to 2015-16.

The number of hospitalizations reported through IMPACT represents a subset of all influenza-associated pediatric and adult hospitalizations in Canada. Delays in the reporting of data may cause data to change retrospectively.

Figure 7 - Text Description
Figure 7 - Number of pediatric (≤16 years of age) hospitalizations reported by IMPACT sentinel hospital network, by week, Canada, 2016-17
Report week 2016-17 Average Min Max
35 0 0 0 0
36 1 0 0 0
37 0 1 0 2
38 0 1 0 2
39 3 0 0 1
40 2 0 0 1
41 0 1 0 2
42 4 1 0 1
43 4 1 0 3
44 5 2 1 4
45 3 3 2 4
46 8 5 1 13
47 1 5 0 9
48 7 10 1 22
49 10 15 2 28
50 20 24 4 47
51 18 35 4 71
52 38 47 7 92
1 47 37 3 75
2 28 36 6 60
3 38 37 2 67
4 31 34 5 47
5 #N/A 39 10 57
6 #N/A 38 15 79
7 #N/A 41 15 118
8 #N/A 48 25 134
9 #N/A 59 12 172
10 #N/A 48 17 114
11 #N/A 45 17 118
12 #N/A 39 14 96
13 #N/A 33 14 57
14 #N/A 27 12 56
15 #N/A 25 14 56
16 #N/A 22 10 41
17 #N/A 18 9 37
18 #N/A 15 6 28
19 #N/A 10 5 18
20 #N/A 9 4 18
21 #N/A 6 2 10
22 #N/A 4 1 7
23 #N/A 2 0 4
24 #N/A 2 0 5
25 #N/A 1 0 3
26 #N/A 1 0 2
27 #N/A 0 0 2
28 #N/A 1 0 1
29 #N/A 0 0 2
30 #N/A 0 0 0
31 #N/A 0 0 0
32 #N/A 0 0 1
33 #N/A 0 0 0
34 #N/A 1 0 2

Adult Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths

In week 04, 84 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated adult (≥20 years of age) hospitalizations were reported by the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN). All  but one case were due to influenza A and the majority of cases  (81%) occurred in adults aged 65+.

To date this season, 619 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated adult (≥20 years of age) hospitalizations have been reported by CIRN. All but six hospitalized cases were due to influenza A. Adults aged 65+ accounted for 77% of hospitalizations. To date, greater than 30 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions have been reported. A total of 20 ICU cases reported at least one underlying condition or comorbidity. The median age of patients admitted to the ICU was 69 years. A total of 12 deaths have been reported this season, all in adults aged 65+. The median age of reported deaths was 82 years. 

Figure 8 - Cumulative numbers of adult hospitalizations (≥20 years of age) with influenza by type and age-group reported by CIRN, Canada, 2016-17, week 4

Figure 8
Figure 8 - Text Description
Figure 8 - Cumulative numbers of adult hospitalizations (≥20 years of age) with influenza by type and age-group reported by the CIRN network, Canada, 2016-17
Age Group Total
20-44 yr 46
45-64 yr 96
65+ yr 477

Figure 9 – Percentage of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths with influenza by age-group (≥20 years of age) reported by CIRN, Canada 2016-17, week 4

Figure 9

The number of hospitalizations reported through CIRN represents a subset of all influenza-associated adult hospitalizations in Canada. Delays in the reporting of data may cause data to change retrospectively.

Figure 9 - Text Description
Age-group (years) Hospitalizations (n= >619) ICU admissions (n= <30) Deaths (n= <18)
20-44 7.4% 3.0% -
45-64 15.5% 19.4% -
65+ 77.1% 77.4% 100.0%
- Supressed due to small values

Influenza Strain Characterizations

During the 2016-17 influenza season, the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has characterized 459 influenza viruses [417 A(H3N2), 10 A(H1N1), 32 influenza B].  All but one influenza A virus (n=426) and all (n=32) influenza B viruses characterized were antigentically or genetically similar to the vaccine strains included in both the trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines. Seventeen influenza B viruses were similar to the strain which is included only in the quadrivalent vaccine.

Table 3 – Influenza strain characterizations, Canada, 2016-17, week 4
Strain Characterization ResultsTable 3 - Footnote 1 Count Description
Influenza A (H3N2)
Antigenically
A/Hong Kong/4801/2014-like		 147 Viruses antigenically similar to A/Hong Kong/4801/2014, the A(H3N2) component of the 2016-17 Northern Hemisphere's trivalent and quadrivalent vaccine.
GeneticallyTable 3 - Footnote 2
A/Hong Kong/4801/2014-like		 269

Viruses belonging to genetic group 3C.2a. A/Hong Kong/4801/2014-like virus belongs to genetic group 3C.2a and is the influenza A(H3N2) component of the 2016-17 Northern Hemisphere's trivalent and quadrivalent vaccine.

Additionally, genetic characterization of the 147 influenza A (H3N2) viruses that underwent HI testing determined that 112 viruses belonged to genetic group 3C.2a and 25 viruses belonged to genetic group 3C.3a. Sequencing is pending for the remaining 10 isolates. The majority of viruses belonging to genetic group 3C.3a are inhibited by antisera raised against A/Hong Kong/4801/2014Table 3 - Footnote 3.
Antigenically
A/Indiana/10/2011-likeTable 3 - Footnote 4		 1

Viruses antigenically similar to A/Indiana/10/2011, a candidate H3N2v vaccine virus.
Influenza A (H1N1)
A/California/7/2009-like 10 Viruses antigenically similar to A/California/7/2009, the A(H1N1) component of the 2016-17 Northern Hemisphere's trivalent and quadrivalent vaccine influenza vaccine.
Influenza B
B/Brisbane/60/2008-like
(Victoria lineage)		 15 Viruses antigenically similar to B/Brisbane/60/2008, the influenza B component of the 2016-17 Northern Hemisphere's trivalent and quadrivalent influenza vaccine
B/Phuket/3073/2013-like
(Yamagata lineage)		 17 Viruses antigenically similar to B/Phuket/3073/2013, the additional influenza B component of the 2016-17 Northern Hemisphere quadrivalent influenza vaccine.

Antiviral Resistance

During the 2016-17 season, the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has tested 345 influenza viruses for resistance to oseltamivir, 344 to zanamivir and 132 to amantadine. All viruses were sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir. All 132 influenza A viruses were resistant to amantadine (Table 4).

Table 4 - Antiviral resistance by influenza virus type and subtype, Canada, 2016-17, week 4
Virus type and subtype Oseltamivir Zanamivir Amantadine
# tested # resistant (%) # tested # resistant (%) # tested # resistant (%)
A (H3N2) 303 0 (0%) 303 0 (0%) 123 123 (100%)
A (H3N2v) 1 0 (0%) 1 0 (0%) 1 1 (100%)
A (H1N1) 10 0 (0%) 9 0 (0%) 8 8 (100%)
B 31 0 (0%) 31 0 (0%) N/ATable 4 - Footnote * N/ATable 4 - Footnote *
TOTAL 345 0 (0%) 344 0 (0%) 132 132 (100%)

Provincial and International Influenza Reports

 

 

 

 

FluWatch definitions for the 2016-2017 season

Abbreviations: Newfoundland/Labrador (NL), Prince Edward Island (PE), New Brunswick (NB), Nova Scotia (NS), Quebec (QC), Ontario (ON), Manitoba (MB), Saskatchewan (SK), Alberta (AB), British Columbia (BC), Yukon (YT), Northwest Territories (NT), Nunavut (NU).

Influenza-like-illness (ILI): Acute onset of respiratory illness with fever and cough and with one or more of the following - sore throat, arthralgia, myalgia, or prostration which is likely due to influenza. In children under 5, gastrointestinal symptoms may also be present. In patients under 5 or 65 and older, fever may not be prominent.

ILI/Influenza outbreaks

Schools:
Greater than 10% absenteeism (or absenteeism that is higher (e.g. >5-10%) than expected level as determined by school or public health authority) which is likely due to ILI.
Note: it is recommended that ILI school outbreaks be laboratory confirmed at the beginning of influenza season as it may be the first indication of community transmission in an area.
Hospitals and residential institutions:
two or more cases of ILI within a seven-day period, including at least one laboratory confirmed case. Institutional outbreaks should be reported within 24 hours of identification. Residential institutions include but not limited to long-term care facilities (LTCF) and prisons.
Workplace:
Greater than 10% absenteeism on any day which is most likely due to ILI.
Other settings:
two or more cases of ILI within a seven-day period, including at least one laboratory confirmed case; i.e. closed communities.

Note that reporting of outbreaks of influenza/ILI from different types of facilities differs between jurisdictions.

Influenza/ILI activity level

1 = No activity: no laboratory-confirmed influenza detections in the reporting week, however, sporadically occurring ILI may be reported

2 = Sporadic: sporadically occurring ILI and lab confirmed influenza detection(s) with no outbreaks detected within the influenza surveillance region Footnote †

3 = Localized:

  1. evidence of increased ILIFootnote * and
  2. lab confirmed influenza detection(s) together with
  3. outbreaks in schools, hospitals, residential institutions and/or other types of facilities occurring in less than 50% of the influenza surveillance regionFootnote †

4 = Widespread:

  1. evidence of increased ILIFootnote * and
  2. lab confirmed influenza detection(s) together with
  3. outbreaks in schools, hospitals, residential institutions and/or other types of facilities occurring in greater than or equal to 50% of the influenza surveillance regionFootnote †

Note: ILI data may be reported through sentinel physicians, emergency room visits or health line telephone calls.

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