FluWatch report: September 21 to October 4, 2014 (Weeks 39 and 40)
Overall summary
- Several influenza indicators (activity levels, influenza detections, ILI and hospitalizations) continued to increase in weeks 39 and 40. Influenza activity was reported in several regions in six provinces (BC, AB, SK, MB, ON & QC) over the two-week period.
- Early season influenza detections show influenza A(H3N2) to be the predominant virus circulating, followed by co-circulation of influenza B.
- In week 39, six influenza outbreaks and two ILI outbreaks were reported. No new outbreaks were reported in week 40.
- Among laboratory detections and hospitalizations, the majority of cases were ≥65 years of age.
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On this page
- Influenza/ILI Activity (geographic spread)
- Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Detections
- Antiviral Resistance
- Influenza Strain Characterizations
- Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Consultation Rate
- Influenza Outbreak Surveillance
- Pharmacy surveillance
- Sentinel Hospital Influenza Surveillance
- Provincial/Territorial Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths
- Emerging Respiratory Pathogens
- International Influenza Reports
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Related Topics
Influenza/ILI Activity (geographic spread)
In weeks 39 and 40, the number of regions in Canada reporting influenza/ILI activity increased compared to the previous two week period. In week 39, five regions (BC(2), AB(1), ON(2)) reported localized activity, and 11 regions (BC(1), AB(4), SK(1), MB(1), ON(2) and QC(2)) reported sporadic activity. In week 40, two regions in Ontario reported localized activity, and 11 regions (BC(3), AB(4), ON(2) and QC(2)) reported sporadic activity (Figure 1).
Figure 1 - Text Description
In week 40, two regions in Ontario reported localized activity, and 11 regions (BC(3), AB(4), ON(2) and QC(2)) reported sporadic activity. No data was reported for one region (PE).
Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Detections
The number of positive influenza tests increased during weeks 39 and 40. The percent positive for influenza detections remains low, and reached 1.2% in week 40 (Figure 2). To date, 84% of influenza detections have been influenza A, and the majority of those subtyped have been A(H3) (Table 1). Among cases with reported age, the largest proportion was in those ≥65 years of age (55%) (Table 2).
In weeks 39 and 40, detections of other respiratory viruses were at inter-seasonal levels (RSV, coronavirus, and human metapneumovirus). Detections of parainfluenza were in keeping with their usual pattern of seasonal circulation. Detections of adenovirus were higher than in previous seasons. Detections of rhinovirus increased in week 39 to a level higher than observed in previous seasons, but decreased in week 40 (figure 3).
For more details, see the weekly Respiratory Virus Detections in Canada Report.
Figure 3 - Text Description
In weeks 39 and 40, detections of other respiratory viruses were at inter-seasonal levels (RSV, coronavirus, and human metapneumovirus). Detections of parainfluenza were in keeping with their usual pattern of seasonal circulation. Detections of adenovirus were higher than in previous seasons. Detections of rhinovirus increased in week 39 to a level higher than observed in previous seasons, but decreased in week 40.
Reporting provincesFootnote 1 | Two weeks (September 21 to October 4, 2014) | Cumulative (August 24 to October 4, 2014) | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Influenza A | B | Influenza A | B | |||||||
A Total | A(H1)pdm09 | A(H3) | A Footnote (Uns) | B Total | A Total | A(H1)pdm09 | A(H3) | A(UnS) | B Total | |
BC | 18 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 25 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 2 |
AB | 18 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 4 |
SK | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
MB | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
ON | 8 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 4 |
QC | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 6 |
NB | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
PE | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
NL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Canada | 52 | 1 | 23 | 28 | 5 | 84 | 3 | 42 | 39 | 16 |
Percentage Footnote 2 | 91.2% | 1.9% | 44.2% | 53.8% | 8.8% | 84.0% | 3.6% | 50.0% | 46.4% | 16.0% |
Age groups (years) | Two weeks (September 21 to October 4, 2014) |
Cumulative (August 24 to October 4, 2014) |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Influenza A | B | Influenza A | B | Influenza A and B | ||||||||
A Total | A(H1) pdm09 | A(H3) | A Footnote (Uns) | Total | A Total | A(H1) pdm09 | A(H3) | A (UnS) | Total | # | % | |
<5 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 3 | 11 | 17 | 11 | 42 | 16.0% |
5-19 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 29 | 11.0% |
20-44 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 2 | 24 | 9.1% |
45-64 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 6 | 23 | 17 | 46 | 17.5% |
65+ | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 108 | 1 | 44 | 63 | 14 | 122 | 46.4% |
Unknown | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% |
Total | 21 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 216 | 4 | 82 | 130 | 47 | 263 | 100.0% |
PercentageFootnote 2 | 87.5% | 0.0% | 33.3% | 66.7% | 12.5% | 82.1% | 1.9% | 38.0% | 60.2% | 17.9% | ||
Influenza Strain Characterizations
The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has not yet reported any influenza strain characterizations for the 2014-15 season (Figure 4).
Antiviral Resistance
Virus type and subtype | Oseltamivir | Zanamivir | Amantadine | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
# tested | # resistant (%) | # tested | # resistant (%) | # tested | # resistant (%) | |
A (H3N2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A (H1N1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NATable 3 - Footnote * | NA Table 3 - Footnote * |
TOTAL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Consultation Rate
Influenza Outbreak Surveillance
Figure 6: Overall number of new laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks by report week, Canada, 2014-2015
1 All provinces and territories except NU report outbreaks in long-term care facilities. All provinces and territories with the exception of NU and QC report outbreaks in hospitals. Outbreaks of influenza or influenza-like-illness in other facilities are reported to FluWatch but reporting varies between jurisdictions. Outbreak definitions are included at the end of the report.
Figure 6 - Text Description
Report week | Hospitals | Long Term Care Facilities |
---|---|---|
35 | 0 | 0 |
36 | 0 | 0 |
37 | 0 | 0 |
38 | 0 | 1 |
39 | 0 | 5 |
40 | 0 | 0 |
Pharmacy surveillance
During this two-week period, the proportion of prescriptions for antivirals was approximately 9 antiviral prescriptions per 100,000 total prescriptions, which is in keeping with previous seasons (Figure 7).
Sentinel Hospital Influenza Surveillance
Paediatric Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths (IMPACT)
In weeks 39 and 40, two new laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated paediatric (≤16 years of age) hospitalizations were reported by the Immunization Monitoring Program Active (IMPACT) network (Figure 8a). To date this season, five hospitalizations have been reported by the IMPACT network, all cases of influenza A (three A(H3N2) and two A(unsubtyped)). Two cases were admitted to the ICU. The age distribution of cases ranged from 2 to 16 years.
Note: The number of hospitalizations reported through IMPACT represents a subset of all influenza-associated paediatric hospitalizations in Canada. Delays in the reporting of data may cause data to change retrospectively.
Adult Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths (PCIRN)
Surveillance of laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated adult (≥16 years of age) hospitalizations by the PHAC/CIHR Influenza Research Network (PCIRN) Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) network has not yet begun for the 2014-15 season (Figure 8b).
Note: 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.
Table 4 - Cumulative numbers of paediatric hospitalizations with influenza reported by the IMPACT network, Canada, 2014-15
Data suppressed for the 2014-15 season due to small values. Table 4 will be updated when additional data are received.
Table 5 - Cumulative numbers of adult hospitalizations with influenza reported by the PCIRN-SOS network, Canada, 2014-15
PCIRN-SOS surveillance for the 2014-15 season has not yet begun.
Figure 8 - Number of cases of influenza reported by sentinel hospital networks, by week, Canada, 2014-15
A) Paediatric hospitalizations (≤16 years of age, IMPACT)
Figure 8A - Text Description
Report week | Influenza A | Influenza B |
---|---|---|
35 | 0 | 0 |
36 | 0 | 0 |
37 | 2 | 0 |
38 | 1 | 0 |
39 | 1 | 0 |
40 | 1 | 0 |
Provincial/Territorial Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths
Age groups | Cumulative (24 August 2014 to 4 October 2014) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Influenza A | B | Influenza A and B | ||||
A Total | A(H1) pdm09 | A(H3) | AFootnote (Uns) | Total | # (%) | |
0-4 years | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 (12%) |
5-19 years | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 (14%) |
20-44 years | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 (7%) |
45-64 years | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 (14%) |
65+ years | 23 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 6 (14%) |
Unknown | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (0%) |
Total | 41 | 2 | 31 | 8 | 2 | 43 |
Percentage Footnote 1 | 95.3% | 4.9% | 75.6% | 19.5% | 4.7% | 100.0% |
Emerging Respiratory Pathogens
Human Avian Influenza
Influenza A(H7N9): No new cases of human infection with influenza A(H7N9) have been reported by the World Health Organization since the last FluWatch report. Globally to October 9, 2014, the WHO has been informed of a total of 453 laboratory-confirmed human cases with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus, including 175 deaths.
Documents related to the public health risk of influenza A(H7N9), as well as guidance for health professionals and advice for the public is updated regularly on the following websites:
PHAC - Avian influenza A (H7N9)
WHO - Avian Influenza A (H7N9)
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
Globally, from September 2012 to October 9, 2014, the WHO has been informed of a total of 855 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS-CoV, including 302 deaths. Since the last FluWatch, Austria has reported their first case of MERS-CoV. All cases have either occurred in the Middle East or have had direct links to a primary case infected in the Middle East. The public health risk posed by MERS-CoV in Canada remains low (see the PHAC Assessment of Public Health Risk).
Documents related to the public health risk of MERS-CoV, as well as guidance for health professionals and advice for the public is updated regularly on the following websites:
Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68)
Information related to enterovirus D68, as well as guidance for health professionals and advice for the public is updated regularly:
International Influenza Reports
- World Health Organization influenza update
- World Health Organization FluNet
- WHO Influenza at the human-animal interface
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seasonal influenza report
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - epidemiological data
- South Africa Influenza surveillance report
- New Zealand Public Health Surveillance
- Australia Influenza Report
- Pan-American Health Organization Influenza Situation Report
FluWatch definitions for the 2014-2015 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 outbreak
- 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:
- evidence of increased ILIFootnote * and
- lab confirmed influenza detection(s) together with
- outbreaks in schools, hospitals, residential institutions and/or other types of facilities occurring in less than 50% of the influenza surveillance regionFootnote †
4 = Widespread:
- evidence of increased ILIFootnote * and
- lab confirmed influenza detection(s) together with
- 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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