Announcement

**Pathfinder** · October 5, 2012, 03:45 PM

Re: Ontario Influenza Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Weeks 38-39

Ontario Influenza Bulletin I 2012‐2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEKS 38 and 39 (September 16, 2012 ? September 29, 2012)

Highlights of current respiratory virus activity for weeks 38 and 39 compared to weeks 36 and 37

 Entero/rhinovirus had the highest percent positivity for weeks 38 and 39 at 18.39% (Table 1).
Parainfluenza virus had the second highest percent positivity among specimens submitted for
testing in weeks 38 and 39. Percent positivity for parainfluenza virus decreased from 2.94% for
weeks 36 and 37 to 2.30% for weeks 38 and 39.

 In weeks 38 and 39, a total of 22 new insitutional respiratory infection outbreaks were reported,
including one combined outbreak, four outbreaks of entero/rhinovirus and 17 outbreaks with no
organism reported (Figure 1). For the 2012‐2013 season to date, 53 institutional respiratory
infection outbreaks have been reported.

Full report:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/flubulletin/Influenza%20Bulletin-Weeks%2038_39.pdf

**Pathfinder** · November 2, 2012, 05:29 PM

Re: Ontario Influenza Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Weeks 40-41

Ontario Influenza Bulletin I 2012-2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEKS 40 and 41 (September 30, 2012 ? October 13, 2012)

Highlights of current respiratory virus activity for weeks 40 and 41 compared to weeks 38 and 39

? Entero/rhinovirus had the highest percent positivity for weeks 40 and 41 at 18.47% (Table 1). Parainfluenza virus had the second highest percent positivity among specimens submitted for testing in weeks 40 and 41. Percent positivity for parainfluenza virus increased from 2.30% for weeks 38 and 39 to 2.82% for weeks 40 and 41.

? In weeks 40 and 41, a total of 32 new insitutional respiratory infection outbreaks were reported, including four outbreaks of influenza A, one outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus, nine outbreaks of entero/rhinovirus and 18 outbreaks with no organism reported (Figure 1). For the 2012-2013 season to date, 105 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported.
...
Full report:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/flubulletin/Influenza%20Bulletin-Weeks%2040_41.pdf

Influenza Activity Map: Week 42:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/flubulletin/Influenza%20Activity%20Map-Week%2042-12.pdf

**Pathfinder** · November 17, 2012, 06:21 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 45

Ontario Influenza Bulletin

Effective November 2, 2012, Public Health Ontario is introducing a new weekly report: the Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin. The Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin combines information formerly published separately in the Ontario Influenza Bulletin and Laboratory-Based Respiratory Pathogen Surveillance Report

The Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin will be posted every Friday during flu season (November to April) and on alternate Fridays outside of flu season. Each weekly report provides a summary from the previous week, as well as cumulative results since the beginning of the current season.
...

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/flubulletin.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin I 2012-2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEK 45 (November 4, 2012 ? November 10, 2012)

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

 There has been little influenza activity in the 2012-2013 season to date, although activity has been
increasing in recent weeks.

o Influenza activity is primarily occurring in the Central West and South West health regions
(Figure 6).

o The percent positivity for influenza A continues to increase (Figure 3, Appendix: Figure I).

o A total of 81 influenza cases have been reported for the 2012-2013 surveillance season to date.
Among these cases, the majority (93.8%; 76/81) had influenza A. Among influenza A cases
reported to date, more than half (57.9%; 44/76) have been identified as the H3 subtype (Table
1).

o In week 45, there were a total of eight new institutional respiratory infection outbreaks
reported, two of which were influenza A (Table 3).

o For this season to date, 162 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 11
of which were laboratory-confirmed influenza A (Table 3).

 The majority of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 season to date can be attributed to
entero/rhinovirus.

o The majority of outbreaks reported in the season to date had entero/rhinovirus as the
causative organism; however, no new entero/rhinovirus outbreaks were reported in week 45
(Table 3).

o Entero/rhinovirus had the highest percent positivity for week 45 at 16.51%. Influenza had the
second highest percent positivity among specimens submitted for testing in week 45 (Table 2).

These percent positivity data are based on laboratories reporting to the national Centre for
Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Diseases (CIRID).

o In week 45, the highest provincial ILI rates were seen in the 5-19 year old age group, and overall
the trend in provincial ILI rates appears to be gradually increasing in recent weeks (Table 4).

o Note: Currently, the small numbers of sentinels reporting at the local and provincial levels
can make the ILI rates unstable. Therefore, readers are advised to review the overall trends
in ILI rates as seen in Figure 7 and place less emphasis on week to week fluctuations.

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/ontario_respiratory_surveillance/Ontario%20Respiratory%20Virus%20Bulletin-Week%2045.pdf

Previous reports:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/ontario-respiratory-virus-bulletin.html

**Pathfinder** · November 27, 2012, 04:35 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 46

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin I 2012-2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEK 46 (November 11, 2012 ? November 17, 2012)
...

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

? Influenza A activity has been increasing, and has now crossed the 5% threshold for percent positivity.

o The percent positivity for influenza A continues to increase and the percent positivity for influenza B remains low (Figure 3, Appendix: Figure I).

o Influenza activity is primarily occurring in the Central West, Central East, and South West health regions (Figure 6), with percent positivity for influenza A highest in Grey Bruce and Waterloo health units (Appendix: Table I).

o A total of 145 influenza cases have been reported for the 2012-2013 surveillance season to date in all regions of the province. Among these cases, the majority (95.2%; 138/145) had influenza A. Among influenza A cases reported to date through iPHIS, more than half (53.6%; 74/138) have been identified as the H3 subtype (Table 1).

o For this season to date, 181 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 17 of which were laboratory-confirmed influenza A (Table 3).

o A total of 31 hospitalizations and no deaths have been reported among lab confirmed influenza cases in the season to date. The majority of hospitalizations occured in influenza A cases.

? The majority of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 season to date can be attributed to entero/rhinovirus.

o The majority of institutional outbreaks reported in the season to date had entero/rhinovirus as the causative organism (51.9%, 94/181); however, no new entero/rhinovirus outbreaks were reported in week 46 (Table 3).

o Among specimens submitted for testing in week 46 to laboratories reporting to the Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Diseases, entero/rhinovirus had the highest percent positivity and influenza had the second highest percent positivity. For the season to date, entero/rhinovirus has had the highest percent positivity overall, followed by parainfluenza virus (Table 2).

o In week 46, the increase in the provincial ILI consultation rate was driven by the 0 to 19 year old age groups; overall the trend in provincial ILI rates continues to be increasing (Table 4). Due to small numbers of sentinels currently reporting, readers are advised to review overall trends (Figure 7) and place less emphasis on week to week fluctuations.
...

Full report:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/ontario_respiratory_surveillance/Ontario%20Respiratory%20Virus%20Bulletin-Week%2046.pdf

**Pathfinder** · December 5, 2012, 04:42 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 47

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin I 2012‐2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEK 47 (November 18, 2012 ? November 24, 2012)

Summary of current and season‐to‐date respiratory virus activity

 Influenza A activity continues to increase. The proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for
influenza has been above 5% for two consecutive weeks, indicating that seasonal influenza activity has
commenced.

o Among specimens submitted for testing in week 47 to laboratories reporting to the Centre for
Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Diseases (CIRID), the percent positivity for influenza A
continues to increase, with percent positivity highest in City of Waterloo in Central West health
region (Appendix: Table I). The dominant circulating subtype of influenza
A seen in this season to date is H3N2, which represents 81.7% of all subtyped influenza A specimens (information
now shown in this report). Meanwhile, the percent positivity for influenza B remains low
(Figure 3, Appendix: Figure I).

o Influenza activity is currently highest in the Central West health region, followed by Central East
health region (Figure 6).

o A total of 264 influenza cases have been reported for the 2012‐2013 surveillance season to date
in all regions of the province. Among these cases, the majority (97.0%; 256/264) reported
infection with influenza A.

o For this season to date, 197 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 24
(12.2%) of which were laboratory‐confirmed influenza A (Table 4). The majority of the influenza
A outbreaks have been reported in City of Waterloo (41.7%; 10/24) followed by adjacent Brant
County (20.8%; 5/24).

o A total of 51 hospitalizations and two deaths have been reported among lab confirmed
influenza cases in the season to date (Table 2). The majority of hospitalizations and both deaths
occurred in influenza A cases.

 The causes of influenza‐like‐illness (ILI) activity in the 2012‐2013 season to date are changing as the
season progresses.

o Approximately half of institutional outbreaks reported in the season to date had
entero/rhinovirus as the causative organism (52.3%, 103/197); however, the number of
entero/rhinovirus outbreaks reported in recent weeks has been decreasing while the number
of influenza A outbreaks reported has been increasing (Table 4, Figure 5).

o Among specimens submitted for testing in week 47 to laboratories reporting to CIRID,
entero/rhinovirus had the highest percent positivity and influenza had the second highest
percent positivity. For the season to date, entero/rhinovirus has had the highest percent
positivity overall, followed by parainfluenza virus (Table 3).

o In week 47, the increase in the provincial ILI consultation rate was driven by the 5 to 19 year old
age group; overall the trend in provincial ILI rates continues to be increasing (Table 5). Due to
small numbers of sentinels currently reporting, readers are advised to review overall trends
(Figure 7) and place less emphasis on week to week fluctuations.
...

Full report:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/docume...-Week%2047.pdf

**Pathfinder** · December 7, 2012, 06:29 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 48

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin I 2012-2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEK 48 (November 25, 2012 ? December 1, 2012)

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

 Influenza A activity continues to increase. Seasonal influenza activity continues with the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for influenza remaining above 5%.

o The dominant circulating subtype of influenza A seen in this season to date continues to be H3N2, which represents 97.4% of all subtyped influenza A positive specimens.

o Influenza activity is currently highest in the South West health region, followed by Central West health region (Figure 6).

o A total of 404 influenza cases have been reported for the 2012-2013 surveillance season to date in all regions of the province. Among these cases, the majority (98.0%; 396/404) reported infection with influenza A.

o For this season to date, 219 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 35 (16.0%) of which were laboratory-confirmed influenza A (Table 4). The majority of the influenza A outbreaks in institutions have been reported in City of Waterloo (40.0%; 14/35) followed by adjacent Brant County (14.3%; 5/35).

o A total of 54 hospitalizations and two deaths have been reported among lab confirmed influenza cases in the season to date (Table 2). The majority of hospitalizations and all deaths occurred in influenza A cases.

 The causes of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 season to date are changing as the season progresses.

o Slightly less than half of institutional outbreaks reported in the season to date had entero/rhinovirus as the causative organism (48.4%, 106/219); the number of entero/rhinovirus outbreaks reported in recent weeks has declined and the number of new influenza A outbreaks reported has been increasing (Table 4, Figure 5).

o Currently, influenza A has the highest percent positivity* and entero/rhinovirus has the second highest percent positivity. For the season to date, entero/rhinovirus has had the highest percent positivity overall, followed by influenza A (Table 3).

o The overall trend in provincial ILI rates continues to be increasing (Figure 7).

Full report:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/ontario_respiratory_surveillance/Ontario%20Respiratory%20Virus%20Bulletin-Week%2048.pdf

**Pathfinder** · December 14, 2012, 05:44 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 49

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin I 2012-2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEK 49 (December 2, 2012 ? December 8, 2012)

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

 Seasonal influenza activity, primarily influenza A/H3N2, continues to increase, with the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for influenza now at 19%*.

o Influenza activity currently remains highest in the South West health region, followed by Central West health region (Figure 6).

o A total of 729 influenza cases have been reported in the season up to December 8, with the majority (98.1%; 715/729) reporting influenza A infection (Table 1). The dominant circulating subtype of influenza A this season continues to be H3N2, which represents 97.0% of all subtyped influenza A positive specimens*.

o For this season up to December 8, 241 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 49 (20.3%) of which were laboratory-confirmed influenza A (Table 4). The majority of the influenza A outbreaks in institutions have been reported by Waterloo Region (34.7%; 17/49) followed by adjacent Brant County (10.2%; 5/49).

o A total of 154 hospitalizations and 13 deaths have been reported among lab confirmed influenza cases in the season up to December 8 (Table 2). The majority of hospitalizations and all deaths occurred in influenza A cases.

o Data from Public Health Ontario Laboratories indicates that a higher percentage of influenza is being detected among specimens submitted from institutions, emergency departments and ambulatory care settings compared to intensive care and other hospital settings.

 The causes of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 season up to December 8 are changing as the season progresses.

o Less than half of institutional outbreaks reported in the season to date reported entero/rhinovirus as the causative organism (44.8%, 108/241); the number of entero/rhinovirus outbreaks reported in recent weeks has declined and the number of new influenza A outbreaks reported has been increasing (Table 4, Figure 5).

o Currently, influenza A has the highest percent positivity and entero/rhinovirus has the second highest percent positivity of all respiratory viruses. For the season to date, entero/rhinovirus has had the highest percent positivity overall, followed by influenza A (Table 3)*.

o The overall trend in provincial ILI rates continues to increase (Figure 7).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=550><TBODY><TR><TD height=15 vAlign=top width="20%">Age Group

</TD><TD height=15 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Hospitalizations

</TD><TD height=15 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD><TD height=15 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Deaths

</TD><TD height=15 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%"><1

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">4 (10)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">7.06

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">1-4

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">2 (11)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">1.93

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (1)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.18

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">5-14

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">3 (7)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.47

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">15-24

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">3 (6)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.33

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">25-44

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">2 (8)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.22

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">1 (1)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.03

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">45-64

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">12 (31)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.84

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">65+

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">34 (80)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">4.36

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">2 (11)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.60

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">Unknown

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (1)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">Total

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">60 (154)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">1.17

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">3 (13)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.10

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Full report:
http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/ontario_respiratory_surveillance/Ontario%20Respiratory%20Virus%20Bulletin-Week%2049.pdf

**Pathfinder** · December 27, 2012, 12:10 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 50

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin I 2012-2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEK 50 (December 9, 2012 ? December 15, 2012)

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

? Seasonal influenza activity, primarily influenza A/H3N2, continues to increase, with the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for influenza now at 23.5%*.

o Influenza activity varies by health region, but in week 50 it increased across all regions. It currently remains highest in the South West health region, followed by Central East health region (Figure 6).

o A total of 1,224 influenza cases were reported this season up to December 15. The majority (98.1%; 1,201/1,224) are influenza A infections (Table 1). The dominant circulating subtype of influenza A is still H3N2, representing 95.7% of all subtyped influenza A positive specimens*.

o For this season up to December 15, 292 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 74 (25.3%) of which were laboratory-confirmed influenza A (Table 4). The majority of the influenza A outbreaks in institutions have been reported by Waterloo Region (25.7%; 19/74), followed by Toronto (12.2%; 9/74).

o A total of 238 hospitalizations and 15 deaths have been reported among lab confirmed influenza cases in the season up to December 15 (Table 2).
The majority of hospitalizations and all deaths occurred in influenza A cases.

o Data from Public Health Ontario Laboratories indicate that a higher percentage of influenza is being detected among specimens submitted from institutions and ambulatory care settings compared to emergency departments, intensive care and other hospital settings.

? The causes of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 season up to December 15 are changing as the season progresses.
o Less than half of institutional outbreaks reported in the season to date reported entero/rhinovirus as the causative organism (40.8%, 119/292); the number of entero/rhinovirus outbreaks reported in recent weeks has declined and the number of new influenza A outbreaks reported has increased (Table 4, Figure 5).

o Currently, influenza A has the highest percent positivity and entero/rhinovirus has the second highest percent positivity of all respiratory viruses. For the season to date, entero/rhinovirus has had the highest percent positivity overall, followed by influenza A (Table 3)*.
o The overall trend in provincial ILI rates continues to be higher than the average rate from previous years (Figure 7).
...

<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=571><TBODY><TR><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Age Group
</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Hospitalizations
</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000
</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Deaths
</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%"><1
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">6 (16)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">11.30
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1-4
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">10 (21)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">3.68
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (1)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.18

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">5-14
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">6 (13)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.87
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">15-24
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">3 (9)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.50
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">25-44
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">5 (13)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.35
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (1)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.03

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">45-64
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">12 (43)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.17
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">65+
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">41 (121)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">6.60
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">2 (13)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.71

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Unknown
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1 (2)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Total
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">84 (238)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.80
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">2 (15)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.11

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

...

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/ontario_respiratory_surveillance/Ontario%20Respiratory%20Virus%20Bulletin-Week%2050.pdf

**Pathfinder** · January 4, 2013, 07:09 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Weeks 51-52

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin I 2012-2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEKS 51 & 52 (December 16, 2012 ? December 29, 2012)

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

? Seasonal influenza activity, primarily influenza A/H3N2, continues to increase, with the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for influenza now at 33.4%.*

o Influenza activity varies across the province. Activity levels are currently highest in Toronto health region, followed by Central West health region (Figure 6).

o A total of 2,712 influenza cases have been reported this season to December 29, 2012, 53.4% (1,448 cases) of which were reported in weeks 51 and 52 combined. The majority of influenza cases this season (98.1%; 2,661/2,712) were influenza A infections (Table 1). The dominant circulating subtype of influenza A is still H3N2, representing 96.6% of all subtyped influenza A positive specimens.*

o In the season to date, 407 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 155 (38.1%) of which were laboratory-confirmed influenza A (Table 4). The majority of the influenza A outbreaks in institutions have been reported by Toronto (18.1%; 28/155), followed by Waterloo Region (14.2%; 22/155).

o A total of 392 hospitalizations and 31 deaths have been reported among lab confirmed influenza cases in the current surveillance season to December 29 (Table 2). The majority of hospitalizations and all deaths occurred in influenza A cases.

o Data from Public Health Ontario Laboratories indicate that a higher percentage of influenza is currently being detected among specimens submitted from institutions and ambulatory care settings compared to emergency departments, intensive care and other hospital settings.

? The causes of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 surveillance season are changing as the season progresses.

o At the beginning of the season, entero/rhinovirus was the causative organism of many institutional respiratory infection outbreaks. Currently, influenza A is the most common causative organism of institutional outbreaks and the number of newly reported influenza A outbreaks continues to increase (Table 4, Figure 5).

o Currently, influenza A has the highest percent positivity and respiratory syncytial virus has the second highest percent positivity of all respiratory viruses. For the season to date, influenza A has had the highest percent positivity overall, followed by entero/rhinovirus (Table 3).*

o The provincial ILI consultation rates in recent weeks up to week 51 continues to be higher than the average rate from previous years (Figure 7).
...

Table 2. Hospitalizations and deaths among confirmed influenza cases during week 52 and cumulative (rates, and numbers in brackets) for the season since September 1, 2012, by age group

<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=550><TBODY><TR><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Age Group

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Hospitalizations

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Deaths

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%"><1

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">3 (24)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">16.95

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1-4

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">7 (39)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">6.84

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.35

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">5-14

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">6 (24)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.61

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">15-24

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (11)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.61

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">25-44

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">2 (22)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.60

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (1)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.03

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">45-64

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">6 (60)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.63

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">65+

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">24 (210)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">11.45

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">8 (28)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.53

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Unknown

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Total

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">48 (392)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">2.97

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">8 (31)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.23

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
...

Full report:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/ontario_respiratory_surveillance/Ontario%20Respiratory%20Virus%20Bulletin%20-%20Weeks%2051-52.pdf

**Pathfinder** · January 15, 2013, 11:14 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 1

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin I 2012-2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEK 1 (December 30, 2012 ? January 5, 2013)

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

 Seasonal influenza activity, primarily influenza A/H3N2, may be leveling off, with the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for influenza now at 32.6%, the first time since week 39 that influenza positivity declined.*

o A total of 4,183 influenza cases have been reported this season to January 5, 2013, 32.4% (1,354 cases) of which were reported in week 1. The majority of influenza cases this season (98.4%; 4,115/4,183) were influenza A infections (Table 1). The dominant circulating subtype of influenza A is still H3N2, representing 97.2% of all subtyped influenza A positive specimens.* Based on data from Public Health Ontario Laboratories, while influenza positivity has declined slightly, the volume of specimens submitted for testing has increased in the previous surveillance week, which partly accounts for the increased number of cases.

o In the season to date, 530 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 258 (48.7%) of which were laboratory-confirmed influenza A (Table 4). The majority of the influenza A outbreaks in institutions have been reported by Toronto (19.4%; 50/258), followed by Ottawa (13.6%; 35/258).

o A total of 552 hospitalizations and 43 deaths have been reported among lab confirmed influenza cases in the current surveillance season to January 5 (Table 2). The majority of hospitalizations and deaths occurred in influenza A cases.

o Data from Public Health Ontario Laboratories indicates that higher percentage of influenza is being detected among specimens submitted from institutions, hospital and ambulatory care settings compared to emergency department and intensive care settings.

 The causes of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 surveillance season are changing as the season progresses.

o At the beginning of the season, entero/rhinovirus was the causative organism of many institutional respiratory infection outbreaks. Currently, influenza A is the most common causative organism of institutional outbreaks and the number of newly reported influenza A outbreaks continues to increase (Table 4, Figure 5).

o Currently, influenza A has the highest percent positivity and respiratory syncytial virus has the second highest percent positivity of all respiratory viruses. For the season to date, influenza A has had the highest percent positivity overall, followed by entero/rhinovirus (Table 3).*
...

Table 2. Hospitalizations and deaths among confirmed influenza cases during week 1 and cumulative (rates, and numbers in brackets) for the season since September 1, 2012, by age group

<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=550><TBODY><TR><TD height=15 vAlign=top width="20%">Age Group

</TD><TD height=15 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Hospitalizations

</TD><TD height=15 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD><TD height=15 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Deaths

</TD><TD height=15 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%"><1

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">9 (33)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">23.31

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">1 (1)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.71

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">1-4

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">11 (50)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">8.77

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.35

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">5-14

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">6 (30)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">2.01

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">15-24

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">6 (17)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.94

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">25-44

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">11 (33)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.90

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (1)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.03

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">45-64

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">24 (84)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">2.28

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">65+

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">93 (303)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">16.52

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">11 (39)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">2.13

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">Unknown

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">Total

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">160 (552)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">4.18

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">12 (43)

</TD><TD height=7 vAlign=top width="20%">0.33

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Full report:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/ontario_respiratory_surveillance/Ontario%20Respiratory%20Virus%20Bulletin-Week%201.pdf

**Pathfinder** · January 19, 2013, 06:41 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 2

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin, 2012-2013 (Week 2: January 6, 2012 ? January 12, 2013)

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

? Seasonal influenza activity, primarily influenza A/H3N2, may be leveling off, with the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for influenza now at 31.1%, representing the second consecutive week that influenza positivity declined.*

o Influenza activity levels in the North West and North East health regions have been increasing in recent weeks (Figure 6).

o The majority of influenza cases this season (98.5%; 5,487/5,571) were influenza A infections (Table 1). The dominant circulating subtype of influenza A is still H3N2, representing 97.0% of all subtyped influenza A positive specimens.*

o In the season to date, 627 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 329 (52.5%) of which were laboratory-confirmed influenza A (Table 4). The majority of the influenza A outbreaks in institutions have been reported by Toronto (19.8%; 65/329), followed by Ottawa (12.5%; 41/329).

o A total of 1,247 hospitalizations and 92 deaths have been reported among lab confirmed influenza cases in the current surveillance season to January 12 (Table 2). The majority of hospitalizations and deaths occurred in influenza A cases.

? Data from Public Health Ontario Laboratories indicates that a higher percentage of influenza is being detected among specimens submitted from ambulatory care and institutional settings, compared to hospitalized patients and those presenting to emergency departments.

? The causes of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 surveillance season are changing as the season progresses.

o At the beginning of the season, entero/rhinovirus was the causative organism of many institutional respiratory infection outbreaks. Currently, influenza A is the most common causative organism of institutional outbreaks, although the number of newly reported influenza A outbreaks is starting to decline (Table 4, Figure 5).

o Currently, influenza A has the highest percent positivity and coronavirus has the second highest percent positivity of all circulating respiratory viruses. For the season to date, influenza A has had the highest percent positivity overall, followed by entero/rhinovirus (Table 3).*
...

Table 2. Hospitalizations and deaths among confirmed influenza cases during week 2 and cumulative (rates, and numbers in brackets) for the season since September 1, 2012, by age group

<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=550><TBODY><TR><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Age Group

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Hospitalizations

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Deaths

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%"><1

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">42 (75)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">52.97

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (1)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.71

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1-4

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">53 (103)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">18.07

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.35

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">5-14

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">10 (40)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">2.68

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">15-24

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">17 (34)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.88

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">25-44

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">49 (82)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">2.23

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1 (2)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.05

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">45-64

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">106 (190)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">5.15

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">9 (9)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.24

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">65+

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">418 (721)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">39.32

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">39 (78)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">4.25

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Unknown

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Total

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">695 (1,247)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">9.44

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">49 (92)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.70

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Full report:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/ontario_respiratory_surveillance/Ontario%20Respiratory%20Virus%20Bulletin-Week%202.pdf

**Pathfinder** · January 25, 2013, 09:27 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 3

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin I 2012-2013
SURVEILLANCE WEEK 3 (January 13, 2013 ? January 19, 2013)

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

? Seasonal influenza activity for the dominant circulating subtype, influenza A/H3N2, is declining, with the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for influenza now at 29.7%, representing the third consecutive week that influenza positivity has declined.*

o Many health units previously reporting widespread influena activity levels are now reporting localized levels of influenza activity levels (Figure 6).

o The majority of influenza cases this season (98.6%; 6,467/6,560) were influenza A infections (Table 1). The dominant circulating subtype of influenza A is H3N2, representing 96.1% of all subtyped influenza A positive specimens.*

o In the season to date, 698 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 382 (54.7%) of which were laboratory-confirmed influenza A (Table 4).

o A total of 1,734 hospitalizations and 128 deaths have been reported among lab confirmed influenza cases in the current surveillance season to January 19 (Table 2). The majority of hospitalizations and deaths occurred in influenza A cases.

? Data from Public Health Ontario Laboratories indicates that a higher percentage of influenza is currently being detected among specimens submitted from ambulatory care and institutional settings, compared to hospitalized patients and those presenting to emergency departments.

? The causes of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 surveillance season are changing as the season progresses.

o At the beginning of the season, entero/rhinovirus was the causative organism of many institutional respiratory infection outbreaks. Currently, influenza A is the most common causative organism of institutional outbreaks, although the number of newly reported influenza A outbreaks is now declining (Table 4, Figure 5).

o Currently, influenza A has the highest percent positivity and coronavirus has the second highest percent positivity of all circulating respiratory viruses. For the season to date, influenza A has had the highest percent positivity overall, followed by entero/rhinovirus (Table 3).*

...
Table 2. Hospitalizations and deaths among confirmed influenza cases during week 3 and cumulative (rates, and numbers in brackets) for the season since September 1, 2012, by age group

<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=571><TBODY><TR><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Age Group
</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Hospitalizations

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Deaths
</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%"><1
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">19 (94)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">66.39
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1 (2)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.41
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1-4
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">28 (131)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">22.98
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.35
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">5-14
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">9 (49)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">3.28
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">15-24
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">4 (38)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">2.10
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">25-44
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">32 (114)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">3.10
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.05
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">45-64
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">83 (273)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">7.40
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">8 (17)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.46
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">65+
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">311 (1,032)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">56.27
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">27 (105)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">5.73
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Unknown
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1 (3)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Total
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">487 (1,734)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">13.13
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">36 (128)
</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.97
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
...

Full report:
http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/docume...n-Week%203.pdf

**Pathfinder** · February 15, 2013, 05:51 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 6

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin, 2012-2013 (Week 6: February 3, 2013 ? February 9, 2013)

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

? Seasonal influenza activity for the dominant circulating subtype, influenza A/H3N2, continues to decline, with the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for influenza now at 14.7% compared to the season maximum of 33.4% in the last week of 2012.

o The majority of influenza cases this season (97.9%; 7,829/7,996) were influenza A infections (Table 1). The dominant circulating influenza A subtype is H3N2, representing 94.5% of all subtyped influenza A positive specimens.*

o In the season to date, 881 institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 498 (56.5%) of which were laboratory confirmed as influenza A (Table 4).

o A total of 2,426 hospitalizations and 185 deaths have been reported among lab confirmed influenza cases in the current surveillance season to February 9 (Table 2). The majority of hospitalizations and deaths occurred in influenza A cases (97.7% and 98.8%, respectively).

? Data from Public Health Ontario Laboratories indicates that a higher percentage of influenza is currently being detected among specimens submitted from ambulatory care and institutional settings, compared to hospitalized patients and those presenting to emergency departments.

? The causes of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 surveillance season are changing as the season progresses.

o At the beginning of the season, entero/rhinovirus was the causative organism of many institutional respiratory infection outbreaks. Currently, influenza A is the most common causative organism of institutional outbreaks, although the number of newly reported influenza A outbreaks has declined (Table 4, Figure 5).

o Currently, influenza A has the highest percent positivity (13.8%) and respiratory syncytial virus has the second highest percent positivity (12.6%) of all circulating respiratory viruses. For the season to date, influenza A has had the highest percent positivity overall, followed by entero/rhinovirus (Table 3).*
...

Table 2. Hospitalizations and deaths among confirmed influenza cases by age group: Ontario, week 6 and cumulative (rates, and numbers in brackets) for the 2012-2013 season
<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=550><TBODY><TR><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Age Group

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Hospitalizations

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Deaths

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%"><1

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">14 (134)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">94.64

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.41

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1-4

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">10 (178)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">31.22

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (3)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.53

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">5-14

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">10 (68)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">4.55

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">15-24

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">7 (54)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">2.99

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">25-44

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">11 (159)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">4.33

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1 (5)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.14

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">45-64

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">22 (370)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">10.03

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1 (21)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.57

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">65+

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">97 (1,461)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">79.67

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">10 (154)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">8.40

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Unknown

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Total

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">171 (2,426)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">18.36

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">12 (185)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.40

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

...

Full report:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/ontario_respiratory_surveillance/Ontario%20Respiratory%20Virus%20Bulletin-Week%206.pdf

Previous reports:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/ontario-respiratory-virus-bulletin.html

**Pathfinder** · February 22, 2013, 06:43 PM

Re: Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 7

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin, 2012-2013 (Week 7: February 10, 2013 ? February 16, 2013)

Summary of current and season-to-date respiratory virus activity

? Seasonal influenza activity for the dominant circulating subtype, influenza A/H3N2, continues to decline, with the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive for influenza now at 12.1% compared to the seasonal peak of 33.4% in the last week of 2012.

o The majority of influenza cases this season (97.6%; 8,025/8,219) were influenza A infections (Table 1). The dominant circulating influenza A subtype is H3N2, representing 94.3% of all subtyped influenza A positive specimens.*

o In the season to date, 910 confirmed institutional respiratory infection outbreaks have been reported, 513 (56.4%) of which were laboratory confirmed as influenza A (Table 4).

o A total of 2,503 hospitalizations and 197 deaths have been reported among lab confirmed influenza cases in the current surveillance season to February 16 (Table 2). The majority of hospitalizations and deaths occurred in influenza A cases (97.8% and 98.5%, respectively).

? The cause of influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity in the 2012-2013 surveillance season is changing as the season progresses.

o At the beginning of the season, entero/rhinovirus was the causative organism of most institutional respiratory infection outbreaks.

Subsequently, influenza A became the most common causative organism
of institutional outbreaks, although the number of newly reported influenza A outbreaks has now declined (Table 4, Figure 5).

o Currently, respiratory syncytial virus has the highest percent positivity (14.8%) and influenza A has the second highest percent positivity (10.5%) of all circulating respiratory viruses. The percent positivity for influenza B has increased slightly in recent weeks and is now at 1.6% for the current reporting week. For the season to date, influenza A has had the highest percent positivity overall, followed by entero/rhinovirus (Table 3).*
...

Table 2. Hospitalizations and deaths among confirmed influenza cases by age group: Ontario, week 7 and cumulative (rates, and numbers in brackets) for the 2012-2013 season

<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=550><TBODY><TR><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Age Group

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Hospitalizations

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Number of Deaths

</TD><TD height=16 vAlign=top width="20%">Cumulative Rate per 100,000

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%"><1

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">3 (137)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">96.76

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.41

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1-4

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">5 (183)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">32.10

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (3)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.53

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">5-14

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">2 (70)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">4.69

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">15-24

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (54)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">2.99

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">25-44

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">6 (165)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">4.49

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1 (6)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.16

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">45-64

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">16 (386)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">10.46

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (21)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0.57

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">65+

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">45 (1,506)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">82.12

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">11 (165)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">9.00

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Unknown

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (2)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">0 (0)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">-

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">Total

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">77 (2,503)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">18.95

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">12 (197)

</TD><TD height=9 vAlign=top width="20%">1.49

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

...
Full report:

http://www.oahpp.ca/resources/documents/ontario_respiratory_surveillance/Ontario%20Respiratory%20Virus%20Bulletin-Week%207.pdf

Announcement

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 19

Ontario Respiratory Virus Bulletin 2012-2013 - Surveillance Week 19

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