The flu is on the rise in Canada as another respiratory virus that used to affect young children begins to wane, Canada’s public health official says.
Dr. Theresa Tam said at a briefing in Ottawa on Friday that since last week’s update, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity has stabilized somewhat and is likely to remain elevated for weeks.
“Influenza is currently showing a strong increase in activity with most surveillance indicators increasing and all trending above expected levels for this time of year,” Tam said.
Both RSV and influenza are thought to be more common after more than two years of precautions such as physical distancing and masking during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve actually had very few reports of flu in the last couple of years, so I think that’s partly the driver,” Tam said. The flu is on the rise with more intensity than “we’ve seen in most of any past season that I’m aware of.”
Children’s medication on the way
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos also said on Friday that an additional 500,000 units of painkillers for children imported from Australia are expected in the coming weeks for hospital pharmacies.
That’s in addition to a previously announced one million units of the drug, sold under the brand names Tylenol and Advil, now hitting the shelves of community pharmacies, he said.
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“In some places, the shelves already show those units received,” Duclos told reporters. “We expect that by next week the availability of these doses will be pretty clear on the shelves of community pharmacies across the country.”
Domestic production of pain relievers for young children is also catching up to meet increased demand, Duclos said.
Children’s hospitals overwhelmed
Children’s hospitals across the country have been hit by revenue from a combination of RSV, flu and COVID-19, which is also contributing to staff shortages, long ED and bed waits, and cancellation of scheduled surgeries in some locations.
As families make vacation plans, Tam reminded people that flu shots are available nationwide for those six months and older.
Habits such as hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and wearing a mask reduce the likelihood of contracting a respiratory virus such as the flu, RSV, and the virus that causes COVID-19. Health officials say this is especially important given the extremely stretched health care system, including children’s hospitals.
Friday, Quebec announced will expand free flu shots for everyone. Until now, it was the only Canadian province that did not regularly offer the vaccine for free to all its residents.