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.
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.
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.
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>
† 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.