The 2007-2008 influenza surveillance season in Canada
has officially started with low influenza activity
During weeks 35 and 36, influenza activity in Canada remained low
with only 3 regions (in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec) reporting
sporadic activity (see map). In weeks 35 and 36,
0.1% (2/1,412) of the specimens tested were positive for influenza
A virus. In weeks 35 and 36, the ILI consultation rates were
respectively 2 and 8 per 1,000 patient visits (see ILI graph); sentinel response rates for these
weeks were low (32%) but are expected to increase as the season
progresses. No new outbreaks were reported for weeks 35 and 36. In
the current season to date, no new laboratory-confirmed
influenza-associated paediatric hospitalizations were reported
through the Immunization Monitoring Program Active (IMPACT)
network.
Antigenic Characterization:
The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has not reported any
influenza strain characterizations for the 2007-2008 influenza
season(see pie chart).
Antiviral Resistance:
The NML has not reported any antiviral resistance for the 2007-2008
influenza season.
For PHAC recommendation on antiviral use, please see : PHAC recommendation.
Australia: During the fortnight ending 8 September 2007, laboratory-confirmed influenza notifications in Australia continued to decline. Year-to-date notifications are 3.4 times the 5 year mean with the highest notification rates in children aged 0-4 years followed by the 5-9 years age group. The predominant strain circulating in Australia is influenza A(H3). To date, there have been 6 deaths in children with influenza A under 5 years of age.
EISS: In weeks 34 and 35 (up to 2 September 2007), three laboratory confirmed cases of influenza in Europe were reported (2 influenza A; 1 influenza B). Twelve countries reported an assessment of the geographical spread of influenza activity in week 35 and all reported no influenza activity.
Human Avian Influenza: Since 31 August 2007, the WHO retrospectively confirmed 5 cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus in Vietnam (dating back to 30 May 2007), following amended laboratory criteria for accepting confirmed cases of A(H5) infection. Three cases were male, 2 were female; the cases ranged in age from 15 to 29 years of age. Four of the 5 cases were fatal. The WHO also confirmed 1 fatal case in a 33-year-old male in Indonesia. The source of his exposure is under investigation.
Province of reporting laboratories |
Report
Period: August 26, 2007 to September 8, 2007 |
Season to
Date: August 26, 2007 to September 8, 2008 |
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Total # Influenza Tests |
# of Positive Tests | Total # Influenza Tests |
# of Positive Tests | |||||
Influenza A | Influenza B | Total | Influenza A | Influenza B | Total | |||
NL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
PE | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NS | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
NB | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
QC | 243 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 243 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
ON | 260 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 260 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
MB | 51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
SK | 107 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 107 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
AB | 699 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 699 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
BC | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Canada | 1412 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1412 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
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>
† 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 |
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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. Click on the map to view provinces/territories and maps for other weeks. |
{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.
Note: No data available for mean rate in previous years for weeks 19 to 39 (1996-1997 through 2002-2003 seasons).
Please note that the above graphs may change as late returns come in.