FluWatch report: November 18, 2018 to November 24, 2018 (Week 47)
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Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada
Date published: 2018-11-30
Related Topics
Overall Summary
On this page
Influenza/Influenza-like Illness Activity (geographic spread)
During week 47, influenza activity levels increased slightly compared to the previous week (Figure 1):
Figure 1 ? Map of overall influenza/ILI activity by province and territory, Canada, week 2018-47
Figure 1 - Text description Laboratory Confirmed Influenza Detections
In week 47, the following results were reported from sentinel laboratories across Canada (Figure 2):
Figure 2 ? Number of positive influenza tests and percentage of tests positive, by type, subtype and report week, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
The shaded area indicates weeks where the positivity rate was at least 5% and a minimum of 15 positive tests were observed, signalling the period of seasonal influenza activity.
Figure 2 - Text description Figure 3 ? Cumulative numbers of positive influenza specimens by type/subtype and province/territory, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
Figure 3 - Text description
Syndromic/Influenza-like Illness Surveillance
Healthcare Professionals Sentinel Syndromic Surveillance
In week 47, 1.9% of visits to healthcare professionals were due to influenza-like illness (ILI) (Figure 4). The percentage of visits for ILI is within expected levels.
Figure 4 ? Percentage of visits for ILI reported by sentinels by report week, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
Number of Sentinels Reporting in Week 47: 84
The shaded area represents the maximum and minimum percentage of visits for ILI reported by week from seasons 2013-14 to 2017-18
Figure 4 - Text description Participatory Syndromic Surveillance
In week 47, 2,182 participants reported to FluWatchers, of which 29 (1.3%) reported symptoms of cough and fever (Figure 5).
Among the 29 participants who reported fever and cough:
Number of Participants Reporting in Week 47: 2,182
Figure 5 - Text description Influenza Outbreak Surveillance
In week 47, five new laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks were reported in long-term care (3) and acute care (2) facilities.
To date this season, 36 laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks have been reported (Figure 6):
To date this season, 25 ILI outbreaks have been reported; 23 occurred in LTCF, one in a school, and one in an acute care facility.
Figure 6 ? Number of new outbreaks of laboratory-confirmed influenza by report week, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
Figure 6 - Text description Severe Outcomes Influenza Surveillance
Provincial/Territorial Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths
To date this season, more than 471 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported by participating provinces and territoriesFootnote1.
Hospitalizations (Table 2):
Return to footnote1referrer
Pediatric Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths
In week 47, 34 pediatric (≤16 years of age) hospitalizations with influenza have been reported by the Immunization Monitoring Program Active (IMPACT) network. Pediatric hospitalizations reported by IMPACT are at levels not normally seen until late December (4-6 weeks earlier than in recent seasons) (Figure 7).
To date this season, 145 pediatric hospitalizations have been reported (Figure 8):
Figure 7 ? Number of pediatric (≤16 years of age) hospitalizations reported by the IMPACT network, by week, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
Figure 7 - Text description Figure 8 - Cumulative numbers of pediatric hospitalizations (≤16 years of age) with influenza by age-group reported by the IMPACT network, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
Figure 8 - Text description Adult Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths
Surveillance of laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated adult (≥16 years of age) hospitalizations by the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) network began on November 1st for the 2018-19 season.
To date this season, 17 hospitalizations have been reported, of which 15 were associated with influenza A and 2 with influenza B.
Influenza Strain Characterizations
Since September 1, 2018, the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has characterized 101 influenza viruses (11 A(H3N2), 80 A(H1N1) and 10 B) that were received from Canadian laboratories.
Genetic Characterization of Influenza A (H3N2):
Ten influenza A(H3N2) viruses did not grow to sufficient hemagglutination titer for antigenic characterization by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. Therefore, NML has performed genetic characterization to determine the genetic group identity of these viruses.
Sequence analysis of the HA gene of the viruses showed that:
Antigenic Characterization:
Influenza A(H3N2):
Influenza B viruses can be divided into two antigenically distinct lineages represented by B/Yamagata/16/88 and B/Victoria/2/87 viruses. The recommended influenza B components for the 2018-19 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine are B/Colorado/06/2017 (Victoria lineage) and B/Phuket/3073/2013 (Yamagata lineage).
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(PDF format, 909 KB, 9 pages)
Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada
Date published: 2018-11-30
Related Topics
Overall Summary
- Influenza activity continued to increase in week 47.
- Influenza A is the most common influenza virus circulating in Canada, and the majority of these viruses are A(H1N1)pdm09.
- The number of influenza-associated hospitalizations continued to increase in week 47. In particular, the number of pediatric hospitalizations is significantly higher than in recent years.
On this page
- Influenza/ILI Activity (geographic spread)
- Laboratory Confirmed Influenza Detections
- Syndromic/Influenza-like Illness Surveillance
- Participatory Syndromic Surveillance
- Influenza Outbreak Surveillance
- Severe Outcomes Influenza Surveillance
- Antiviral Resistance
- Provincial and International Influenza Reports
Influenza/Influenza-like Illness Activity (geographic spread)
During week 47, influenza activity levels increased slightly compared to the previous week (Figure 1):
- One region reported widespread activity: in Que.(1),
- Four regions reported localized activity: in Alta.(1), Ont.(2), and N.B.(1),
- Sporadic activity was reported by 32 regions, in B.C.(5), Alta.(4), Sask.(3), Man.(3), Ont.(3), Que.(5), N.B.(2), N.S.(1), P.E.I.(1), N.L.(2), N.W.T(2) and Nvt.(1).
- No activity was reported by 16 regions.
Figure 1 ? Map of overall influenza/ILI activity by province and territory, Canada, week 2018-47
Figure 1 - Text description Laboratory Confirmed Influenza Detections
In week 47, the following results were reported from sentinel laboratories across Canada (Figure 2):
- The percentage of tests positive for influenza continued to increase to 15.3% of tests positive.
- The percentage of tests positive for influenza A is higher for this time of year compared to the same period during the previous eight seasons.
- In week 47, 950 laboratory detections of influenza were reported, of which 99% were influenza A.
- 92% have been influenza A.
- Among the 1,760 influenza A viruses subtyped, 82% have been A(H1N1)pdm09.
- Provincial and territorial differences in influenza type/subtype distribution are observed (Figure 3).
- 69% of all influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 detections have been reported in individuals younger than 45 years of age.
- 70% of all influenza A(H3N2) detections have been reported in adults 65 years of age and older.
Figure 2 ? Number of positive influenza tests and percentage of tests positive, by type, subtype and report week, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
The shaded area indicates weeks where the positivity rate was at least 5% and a minimum of 15 positive tests were observed, signalling the period of seasonal influenza activity.
Figure 2 - Text description Figure 3 ? Cumulative numbers of positive influenza specimens by type/subtype and province/territory, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
Figure 3 - Text description
0-4 | 632 | 377 | 3 | 252 | 5 | 637 | 20% |
5-19 | 650 | 334 | 5 | 311 | 11 | 661 | 21% |
20-44 | 797 | 399 | 15 | 383 | 9 | 806 | 26% |
45-64 | 565 | 285 | 32 | 248 | 7 | 572 | 18 |
65+ | 465 | 206 | 131 | 128 | 14 | 479 | 15% |
Total | 3109 | 1601 | 186 | 1322 | 46 | 3155 | 100% |
Table 1 - Note 1 UnS: unsubtyped: The specimen was typed as influenza A, but no result for subtyping was available; Return to Table 1 - Note1 |
Healthcare Professionals Sentinel Syndromic Surveillance
In week 47, 1.9% of visits to healthcare professionals were due to influenza-like illness (ILI) (Figure 4). The percentage of visits for ILI is within expected levels.
Figure 4 ? Percentage of visits for ILI reported by sentinels by report week, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
Number of Sentinels Reporting in Week 47: 84
The shaded area represents the maximum and minimum percentage of visits for ILI reported by week from seasons 2013-14 to 2017-18
Figure 4 - Text description Participatory Syndromic Surveillance
In week 47, 2,182 participants reported to FluWatchers, of which 29 (1.3%) reported symptoms of cough and fever (Figure 5).
Among the 29 participants who reported fever and cough:
- 28% consulted a healthcare professional;
- 83% reported days missed from work or school, resulting in a combined total of 66 missed days of work or school.
Number of Participants Reporting in Week 47: 2,182
Figure 5 - Text description Influenza Outbreak Surveillance
In week 47, five new laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks were reported in long-term care (3) and acute care (2) facilities.
To date this season, 36 laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreaks have been reported (Figure 6):
- 19 outbreaks were in LTCF, eight were in schools, and five were in other settings.
- All of the 30 outbreaks for which the influenza type was available were associated with influenza A.
- Among the 21 outbreaks for which the influenza A subtype was available:
- 17 were associated with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09;
- Four were associated with A(H3N2);
To date this season, 25 ILI outbreaks have been reported; 23 occurred in LTCF, one in a school, and one in an acute care facility.
Figure 6 ? Number of new outbreaks of laboratory-confirmed influenza by report week, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
Figure 6 - Text description Severe Outcomes Influenza Surveillance
Provincial/Territorial Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths
To date this season, more than 471 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported by participating provinces and territoriesFootnote1.
Hospitalizations (Table 2):
- 99% (471) were associated with influenza A
- The highest estimated rates of hospitalization are among children under 5 years of age.
- To date this season 49 ICU admissions and nine deaths have been reported.
Return to footnote1referrer
0-4 | 95 | 0 | 7.77 | ||
5-19 | 64 | 0 | 2.31 | ||
20-44 | 72 | 0 | 1.20 | ||
45-64 | 115 | 0 | 2.39 | ||
65+ | 125 | <5 | 5.18 | ||
Total | 471 | <5 | |||
% | 99% | 1% | |||
Table 2 - Footnote 1 Influenza-associated hospitalizations are reported by Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Yukon. Only hospitalizations that require intensive medical care are reported by Saskatchewan. The cumulative rate of hospitalizations is calculated using the total population by age-group in participating provinces and territories. Return to Table 2 - Footnote1referrer |
In week 47, 34 pediatric (≤16 years of age) hospitalizations with influenza have been reported by the Immunization Monitoring Program Active (IMPACT) network. Pediatric hospitalizations reported by IMPACT are at levels not normally seen until late December (4-6 weeks earlier than in recent seasons) (Figure 7).
To date this season, 145 pediatric hospitalizations have been reported (Figure 8):
- All but two cases have been associated with influenza A.
- Among the 109 cases for which the influenza subtype was available, 108 were associated with A(H1N1)pdm09.
Figure 7 ? Number of pediatric (≤16 years of age) hospitalizations reported by the IMPACT network, by week, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
Figure 7 - Text description Figure 8 - Cumulative numbers of pediatric hospitalizations (≤16 years of age) with influenza by age-group reported by the IMPACT network, Canada, weeks 2018-35 to 2018-47
Figure 8 - Text description Adult Influenza Hospitalizations and Deaths
Surveillance of laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated adult (≥16 years of age) hospitalizations by the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) network began on November 1st for the 2018-19 season.
To date this season, 17 hospitalizations have been reported, of which 15 were associated with influenza A and 2 with influenza B.
Influenza Strain Characterizations
Since September 1, 2018, the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has characterized 101 influenza viruses (11 A(H3N2), 80 A(H1N1) and 10 B) that were received from Canadian laboratories.
Genetic Characterization of Influenza A (H3N2):
Ten influenza A(H3N2) viruses did not grow to sufficient hemagglutination titer for antigenic characterization by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. Therefore, NML has performed genetic characterization to determine the genetic group identity of these viruses.
Sequence analysis of the HA gene of the viruses showed that:
- One virus belonged to genetic group 3C.2a.
- Nine viruses belonged to subclade 3C.2a1.
Antigenic Characterization:
Influenza A(H3N2):
- One influenza A(H3N2) virus was antigenically characterized as A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016-like by HI testing using antiserum raised against egg-propagated A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016.
- A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016-like virus is the influenza A(H3N2) component of the 2018-19 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine.
- The influenza A (H3N2) virus characterized belonged to genetic group 3C.2a1.
- 80 A(H1N1) viruses characterized were antigenically similar to A/Michigan/45/2015, which is the influenza A(H1N1) component of the 2018-19 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine.
Influenza B viruses can be divided into two antigenically distinct lineages represented by B/Yamagata/16/88 and B/Victoria/2/87 viruses. The recommended influenza B components for the 2018-19 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine are B/Colorado/06/2017 (Victoria lineage) and B/Phuket/3073/2013 (Yamagata lineage).
- Ten influenza B viruses were characterized as B/Phuket/3073/2013-like, which belongs to the Yamagata lineage and is included as an influenza B component of the 2018-19 Northern Hemisphere quadrivalent influenza vaccine.
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