The flu has killed five more people in New Brunswick and hospitalized 86 others, with about 10 requiring intensive care, according to the latest weekly figures released by Public Health.
Fourteen people have died from the flu so far this season, compared to five all of last season.
A total of 218 people have been hospitalized, more than the 92 last year.
Information about individuals, such as their ages, is not provided in influenza surveillance reports. CBC News asked the Department of Health for an age breakdown on Friday, but did not receive a response.
In BC, six young people have died after contracting the flu: one child under the age of five, three children between the ages of five and nine and two teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19.
“Early findings indicate that some of the children experienced secondary bacterial infections that contributed to serious illness, which can be a complication of the flu,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC’s provincial health officer, earlier this month. week
Deaths have been rare in “previously healthy children,” he said, and those most at risk include infants and toddlers, children with chronic medical conditions, those who need to take aspirin or ASA for long periods of time, and those who are obese.
Henry promised to provide weekly updates.
‘Critical point
In New Brunswick, the Liberal opposition has called on the government to hold a public update on the triple threat of the flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, before the holiday meetings.
Rob McKee, Leader of the Official Opposition and health critic, repeated the call in the legislature on Thursday. In response, Health Minister Bruce Fitch argued that the opposition was asking him to interfere politically and direct the Office of the Chief Medical Officer, which is independent from the government, to hold a public briefing, after recently accusing the government of political interference.
“You can’t have it both ways, Mr. President.”
Liberal Rob McKee, Leader of the Official Opposition and health critic, says Public Health should hold a public briefing on the spread of flu, new variants of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV . (Government of New Brunswick)
McKee responded that the province is at a “critical point,” with viruses “bypassing classrooms” and affecting its ability to provide health services.
“So when will Public Health come out with a strategy to help reduce the spread of infections? And when will we see specific recommendations, advice and safety protocols communicated to the public?”
Fitch said Dr. Yves Léger, the acting chief medical officer of health, is keeping the public informed by reviewing the Department of Health’s responses to numerous media requests.
The weekly case count surpasses last flu season’s total
Between Nov. 20 and Nov. 26, 513 positive cases of influenza were recorded across the province, the report shows.
That’s more than the 2021-22 season total of 442 laboratory-confirmed cases.
A jump in the week’s numbers was expected, according to Department of Health spokesman Adam Bowie.
Until now, data from provincial FluWatch reports and national monitoring came only from the laboratory at the University Hospital Center Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont of Moncton, which is the Public Health Agency of Canada’s sentinel site for the province, said.
But now data from regional laboratories is included.
The actual number of flu cases in the province is likely much higher, as most people do not get tested for the flu. They just stay at home.
The rate of doctor visits for flu-like illnesses was 136.4 per 1,000 patient visits, compared with 63.8 the previous week and “above expected levels for this time of year,” according to the report.
Where does it extend?
Of the 513 laboratory-confirmed cases, 25 were influenza A(H3) and 488 were influenza A (unsubtyped).
The regional distribution is:
- Moncton Region, Zone 1 — 185.
- Region of Sant Joan, Zone 2 — 90.
- Fredericton Region, Zone 3 — 119.
- Edmundston Region, Zone 4 – 27.
- Campbellton Region, Zone 5 – Eight.
- Bathurst Region, Zone 6 – 43.
- Miramchi Region, Zone 7 — 40.
Zones 5 and 6, in light blue, have ‘sporadic’ flu activity, while the rest of the zones, in darker blue, have ‘localised’ activity, according to the flu report. (Government of New Brunswick)
There is now “localized activity” – the second highest level – in all but two health zones, the report said. Localized activity is defined as “evidence of increased [influenza-like illness] with laboratory-confirmed influenza detections and outbreaks in schools, hospitals, residential institutions, and/or other types of facilities occurring in less than 50% of the influenza surveillance region.”
Zone 5, the Campbellton region, and Zone 6, the Bathurst region, have “sporadic activity”, which is defined as “sporadically”. [influenza-like illness] and laboratory-confirmed influenza detection(s) with no outbreak detected in the influenza surveillance region.”
Jump to school shoots
Flu outbreaks in schools also increased dramatically during the week in question, with 62 reported, compared to 22 the previous week.
These outbreaks could also be due to the “ongoing circulation of COVID-19” and should be “interpreted with caution,” the report noted. They are based on absence rates greater than 10% due to flu-like symptoms, and the “distinction between flu-like illness and COVID-like illness is not always clear,” he says.
The number of flu outbreaks in nursing homes and hospitals per week this season is illustrated in yellow, compared to the average number for previous non-pandemic seasons (2004-05 to 2021-22) illustrated in green Flu outbreaks in schools this season are orange, compared to the previous average of purple. (Government of New Brunswick)
The regional breakdown of these flu-like school outbreaks is:
- Moncton Region, Zone 1 – 19.
- Region of Sant Joan, Zone 2 — 11.
- Fredericton Region, Zone 3 – 26.
- Edmundston Region, Zone 4 – two.
- Miramchi Region, Zone 7 — four.
A residential outbreak was reported in the San Juan Region, Zone 2.
Almost half of cases in Canada among young people
Nationally, influenza activity has continued to “increase sharply,” according to the report.
“All watch indicators are rising and all are above expected levels typical for this time of year.”
During the week of late November under study, a total of 8,242 laboratory-confirmed cases (8,226 influenza A and 16 influenza B) were reported. Among the detections with detailed information on age, 46% were in children and adolescents.
Last month, about 43,000 fewer New Brunswickers got a flu shot compared to the same time last year, despite warnings of a more severe season, after the lifting of COVID measures -19.
As of November 3, a total of 66,488 flu shots had been administered, down from approximately 110,090.
CBC News requested updated figures from the Department of Health on Friday, but did not receive a response.
BC launched a flu shot clinic blitz on Friday, opening walk-in clinics across the province for all residents six months and older. The clinics will be extended over the weekend.
The flu shot is recommended for all New Brunswickers six months of age and older, with a higher dose available for those 65 and older.
A total of 975 cases of influenza have been reported in New Brunswick since the 2022-23 season began on August 28: 71 influenza A(H3), 903 influenza A (unsubtyped), and one influenza B