Low influenza activity in Canada
During weeks 37 and 38, influenza activity remained low in Canada; with one region in Ontario reporting localized activity and 3 regions reported sporadic activity (in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario (see map)). In weeks 37 and 38, only 1 of the 737 (0.1%) specimens tested were positive for influenza A virus. In weeks 37 and 38, the ILI consultation rates were both 8 per 1,000 patient visits (see ILI graph); sentinel response rates for these weeks were low (39%) but are expected to increase as the season progresses. No new outbreaks were reported for weeks 37 and 38; one retrospectively confirmed LTCF outbreak was reported in Ontario from week 35 (see LTCF outbreak graph). In the current season to date, no new laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated paediatric hospitalizations were reported through the Immunization Monitoring Program Active (IMPACT) network.

Avian Influenza:
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza on a commercial poultry farm approximately one hour north of Regina, Saskatchewan. Birds on the infected premises will be culled and disposed of in accordance with provincial regulations and internationally accepted disease control guidelines. Saskatchewan local and provincial public health authorities together with The Public Health Agency of Canada are monitoring the situation closely.

For more information see CFIA website

Antigenic Characterization:
The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has not reported any influenza strain characterizations for the 2007-2008 influenza season (see pie chart). However, an updated set of figures for the 2006-07 season are now available: 276 (27%) A/New Caledonia/20/99-like, 628 (61%) A/Wisconsin/67/05-like, 13 (1%) B/Malaysia/2506/04-like and 111 (11%) B/Shanghai/361/2002-like.

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.

WHO vaccine recommendation for Southern Hemisphere:

The WHO has released recommendations for the composition of the Southern Hemisphere 2008 season influenza vaccine:
It is recommended that vaccines to be used in the 2008 season contain the following:

• an A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 (H1N1)-like virus (current vaccine virus);
• an A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus;
• a B/Florida/4/2006-like virus.

• WHO

Australia: During the fortnight ending 15 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.

• Australian Government

• Australian WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza

EISS: In weeks 36 and 37 (up to 16 September 2007), 1 laboratory confirmed case of influenza A in Europe was reported. None of the 12 countries reporting on their epidemiological situation reported any influenza activity.

• EISS

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: September 9, 2007 to September 22, 2007				Season to Date: August 26, 2007 to September 22, 2007
	Total # Influenza Tests	# of Positive Tests			Total # Influenza Tests	# of Positive Tests
		Influenza A	Influenza B	Total		Influenza A	Influenza B	Total
NL	5	0	0	0	8	0	0	0
PE	2	0	0	0	5	0	0	0
NS	16	0	0	0	30	0	0	0
NB	10	0	0	0	21	0	0	0
QC	276	0	0	0	519	0	0	0
ON	400	1	0	1	670	2	0	2
MB	49	0	0	0	100	0	0	0
SK	146	0	0	0	253	0	0	0
AB	813	0	0	0	1512	1	0	1
BC	20	0	0	0	42	0	0	0
Canada	1737	1	0	1	3160	3	0	3

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=66)

† 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, 16 September to 22 September, 2007 (Week 38)
	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=0]

{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.

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Definitions for the 2007-2008 season