The second week of the annual flu season saw a spike in influenza cases, with swine flu being the most commonly detected subtype, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
“Nationally, influenza activity has continued to increase,” the agency said in its weekly FluWatch report. “Most monitoring indicators are increasing but remain at levels typical for this time of year.”
According to the latest FluWatch reportIn the week of November 26 to December 2, laboratory detections reached 3,077, up from 2,143 the week before. The positive test rate rose from 7.5 percent to 9.9 percent. There were also 202 new flu-related hospitalizations and six related deaths.
The vast majority of cases this season have involved influenza A, and specifically the subtype influenza A (H1N1), commonly known as swine flu. Of 1,129 influenza A cases subjected to further analysis last week, 90 percent were found to be the swine flu subtype.
When influenza subtype information was available, swine flu was also linked to 91 percent of all outbreaks and 94 percent of all hospitalizations since August 27.
Based on available data, influenza activity was most widespread in Alberta. Local influenza activity has also been reported across much of New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, southern Ontario and southwestern British Columbia.
“The proportion of regions reporting influenza activity and the intensity of reported activity are increasing,” the FluWatch report states.
There were 19 laboratory-confirmed outbreaks during the week, bringing the total to 81 since August. Most outbreaks occurred in long-term and acute care facilities. While people ages 0 to 19 are most commonly infected, accounting for 34 percent of all new infections since August, adults ages 65 and older account for 30 percent of all hospitalizations.
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