Low influenza activity in Canada
During week 41, influenza activity remained low in Canada with only 4 regions (in British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia) reporting sporadic activity (see map). In week 41, only 1 of the 1082 (0.1%) specimens tested was positive for influenza A virus. The ILI consultation rate was similar to previous weeks (15 ILI consultations per 1,000 patient visits) and is within the expected range (see ILI graph). Sentinel response rates over recent weeks have been low (33% in week 41) but are expected to increase as the season progresses. Since the start of the season, one outbreak in a LTCF was reported (in Ontario)(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.

Antigenic Characterization & Antiviral Resistance:
The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) will be updating results on strain characterization and antiviral resistance next week.

* The WHO recommends that the vaccines to be used in the 2007-2008 season (northern hemisphere) contain the following: an A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 (H1N1)-like virus; an A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like virus.

CDC: During week 40, a low level of influenza activity was reported in the United States. Of the 787 specimens tested for influenza virus, 12 (1.5%) were positive. The proportion of outpatient visits for ILI (1.0%) was below national and region-specific baseline levels. From May 20 - September 29, 2007, CDC antigenically characterized 14 influenza isolates: 2 influenza A (H1) (both A/Solomon Islands/3/2006(H1N1)-like); 10 influenza A (H3) (6 A/Wisconsin/67/2005(H3N2)-like, 2 A/Brisbane/10/2007(H3N2)-like and 2 showed reduced titers to A/Wisconsin/67/2005 and A/Brisbane/10/2007); and 2 B/Yamagata lineage viruses. A/Brisbane/10/2007 is a recent antigenic variant related to the A/Wisconsin/67/2005 vaccine virus. The CDC reported 3 human cases of novel swine influenza A virus from 2 states (Ohio and Illinois) in September.

• CDC

EISS: In week 41, low levels of influenza activity in Europe were reported with all countries reporting no or only sporadic influenza activity. There have been sporadic laboratory confirmed cases of influenza reported in the last month, however a number of these cases were reported to be infections acquired outside of Europe. Influenza A (H3 and H1) and B detections were reported, however it is currently too early to say which virus type or subtype will become dominant in Europe this season.

• EISS

Human Avian Influenza: Since 13 October 2007, no new cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus were reported by the WHO. However, on 17 October 2007, the WHO announced the death of a previously confirmed case from Indonesia.

• 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: October 7, 2007 to October 13, 2007				Season to Date: August 26, 2007 to October 13, 2007
	Total # Influenza Tests	# of Positive Tests			Total # Influenza Tests	# of Positive Tests
		Influenza A	Influenza B	Total		Influenza A	Influenza B	Total
NL	1	0	0	0	15	0	0	0
PE	4	0	0	0	16	0	0	0
NS	0	0	0	0	58	0	0	0
NB	3	0	0	0	38	0	0	0
QC	222	0	0	0	1113	0	0	0
ON	263	0	1	1	1548	4	1	5
MB	51	0	0	0	240	0	0	0
SK	82	0	0	0	477	0	0	0
AB	400	0	0	0	2743	1	0	1
BC	56	0	0	0	162	1	0	1
Canada	1082	0	1	1	6410	6	1	7

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, 7 October to 13 October, 2007 (Week 41)
	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.

Single Maps | Dual Maps | Animated Maps | FluWatch Reports

Definitions for the 2007-2008 season