Mostly sporadic or no influenza activity reported in Canada
During weeks 25 and 26, overall influenza activity in Canada continued to decline with the majority of the influenza surveillance regions reporting no activity (see map). The number of regions reporting sporadic influenza activity decreased from 15 regions in week 25 to 13 regions in week 26. The percentage of specimens that tested positive for influenza declined to 0.7% (15/2,160) for Canada as a whole over the two-week period (see table). To date this season, 58% of influenza detections in Canada were for influenza A viruses and 42% were for influenza B viruses. Note that parainfluenza virus detections declined from previous weeks. This week, the ILI consultation rate was 6 ILI consultations per 1,000 patient visits (see ILI graph), which is within the expected range for this week. The sentinel response rate was 35%. No new outbreaks have been reported since week 22.

Antigenic Characterization & Antiviral Resistance:
No new antigenic characterizations or antiviral resistance findings were reported by the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in weeks 25 and 26. Please see pie chart below or refer to the previous report for further information: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/07-08/w23-24_08/index-eng.php.

Influenza-associated Paediatric Hospitalizations:
In weeks 25 & 26, there were no new laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated paediatric hospitalizations reported through the Immunization Monitoring Program Active (IMPACT) network. For further information, refer to the previous report: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/07-08/w23-24_08/index-eng.php.

International:

WHO: During weeks 24 - 25, the level of overall influenza activity in the world was low. Countries in the northern hemisphere reported sporadic or no activity. In the southern hemisphere, influenza activity remained moderate.

• WHO

EISS: In week 25, only sporadic laboratory confirmed cases were reported in Europe.

• EISS

Human Avian Influenza: No new cases of human H5N1 avian influenza infection have been reported by the WHO since 19 June 2008.

• WHO

---

Total number of influenza tests performed and number of positive tests by province/territory of testing laboratory, Canada, 2007-2008

Province of reporting laboratories	Report Period: June 15, 2008 to June 28, 2008				Season to Date: August 26, 2007 to June 28, 2008
	Total # Influenza Tests	# of Positive Tests			Total # Influenza Tests	# of Positive Tests
		Influenza A	Influenza B	Total		Influenza A	Influenza B	Total
NL	61	0	0	0	1522	85	133	218
PE	2	0	0	0	173	3	26	29
NS	18	0	0	0	1112	123	104	227
NB	4	0	0	0	1582	108	193	301
QC	453	1	0	1	31770	2237	1151	3388
ON	567	7	2	9	37320	2500	1811	4311
MB	56	0	1	1	2465	82	46	128
SK	112	0	0	0	6558	366	311	677
AB	846	2	2	4	33455	958	947	1905
BC	41	0	0	0	3750	589	477	1066
Canada	2160	10	5	15	119707	7051	5199	12250

 

Specimens from NT, YT, and NU are sent to reference laboratories in other provinces.

Note: Cumulative data includes updates to previous weeks; due to reporting delays, the sum of weekly report totals do not add up to cumulative totals.

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)

Respiratory virus laboratory detections in Canada, by geographic regions, are available weekly on the following website:
<http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/bid-bmi/dsd-dsm/rvdi-divr/index-eng.php>

Number of influenza surveillance regions† reporting widespread or localized influenza activity, Canada, by report week, 2007-2008 (N=54)

† sub-regions within the province or territory as defined by the provincial/territorial epidemiologist. Graph may change as late returns come in.

Influenza Activity Level by Provincial and Territorial Influenza Surveillance Regions, Canada, June 15 to June 28, 2008 (Weeks 25 & 26)
	No Data No Activity Sporadic Activity Localized Activity Widespread Activity

Note: Influenza 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 (see graphs and tables) and outbreaks. Please refer to detailed definitions. For areas where no data is reported, late reports from these provinces and territories will appear on the FluWatch website. Select single maps by report week to get this updated information.
<http://dsol-smed.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dsol-smed/fluwatch/fluwatch.phtml?lang=e>

Click on the map to view provinces/territories and maps for other weeks.

Influenza tests reported and percentage of tests positive, Canada, by report week, 2007-2008

Percent positive influenza tests, compared to other respiratory viruses, Canada, by reporting week, 2007-2008

Influenza strain characterization, Canada, cumulative, 2007-2008 influenza season by the Respiratory Viruses Section at the National Microbiology Laboratory
[N=1,334]

{Strain characterization, number identified, per cent of total number}

NACI recommends that the trivalent vaccine for the 2007-2008 season in Canada contain A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 (H1N1)-like virus; an A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like virus.

Influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rates, Canada, by report week, 2007-2008 compared to 1996/97 through to 2006/07 seasons

Note: No data available for mean rate in previous years for weeks 19 to 39 (1996-1997 through 2002-2003 seasons).

Number of New Outbreaks in Long Term Care Facilities, Canada, by Report Week, 2007-2008

Please note that the above graphs may change as late returns come in.

Single Maps | Dual Maps | Animated Maps | FluWatch Reports

Definitions for the 2007-2008 season