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Sporadic influenza activity reported in some regions of the country

During weeks 39 and 40, sporadic activity was reported in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, while the rest of the country reported no activity (see map). From weeks 39 to 40, 3 (0.1%) of the 2,143 specimens tested for influenza virus were positive for influenza virus (see table). The first influenza B virus detection for the season was detected in Alberta in week 40. The ILI consultation rates remained low: 9 per 1,000 patient visits in week 39 and 7 per 1,000 patient visits in week 40 (see ILI graph). ILI consultation rates for weeks 39 and 40 were highest among children in regions reporting ILI activity. There have been no influenza outbreaks reported so far this season.

Note: Subsequent findings confirmed that the school outbreak previously reported in week 37 was not due to influenza. In addition, since the start of the season no positive influenza laboratory detections have been reported in the region where the school is located.

Antigenic Characterization:
The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has not reported any influenza strain characterizations for the 2006-2007 influenza season. Strain characterization of the early season influenza isolates are pending. However, late 2005-2006 influenza isolates included A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like, A/New Caledonia/20/1999 (H1N1)-like, and B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like strains.

Influenza-associated Pediatric Hospitalizations:
During weeks 39 and 40, no new laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated pediatric hospitalizations were reported through the Immunization Monitoring Program Active (IMPACT) network. One case has been reported to IMPACT since the start of this influenza season.

International:
EISS: In week 39, the Netherlands reported one positive influenza A(H1) specimen. The reporting of laboratory confirmed cases of influenza has remained sporadic throughout Europe since late-June of this year. In addition, there have been no unusual influenza outbreaks reported since then.

• EISS

Human Avian Influenza:
Since 30 September 2006, the WHO reported 2 new cases of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The first case is a 21-year-old female from Indonesia who developed symptoms on 19 September and remains hospitalized since 25 September. The second case is a 39-year-old female from Egypt who developed symptoms on 30 September, hospitalized on 4 October and remains in stable condition.

• WHO

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Antiviral Resistance
In January 2006, the Public Health Agency of Canada recommended that health care providers in Canada not prescribe amantadine to treat and prevent influenza during the 2005-2006 influenza season following testing showing viruses in circulation at the time in Canada and the US were resistant to the drug. Further information on resistance to antivirals (such as amantadine and oseltamivir) of influenza strains circulating in the current season will be reported in this season's FluWatch reports.

Total number of influenza tests performed and number of positive tests by province/territory of testing laboratory, Canada, 2006-2007

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.html>

Number of influenza surveillance regions† reporting widespread or localized influenza activity, Canada, by report week, 2006-2007 (N=76)

† 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 Influenza Surveillance Regions, Canada, October 1, 2006 to October 7, 2006 (Week 40)
	No Data No Activity Sporadic Activity Localized Activity Widespread Activity
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. <http://dsol-smed.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dsol-smed/fluwatch/fluwatch.phtml?lang=e> Click on the map to view provinces/territories and maps for other weeks.

Influenza tests reported and percentage of tests positive, Canada, by report week, 2006-2007

Percent positive influenza tests, compared to other respiratory viruses, Canada, by reporting week, 2006-2007

Influenza strain characterization, Canada, cumulative, 2006-2007 influenza season by the Respiratory Viruses Section at the National Microbiology Laboratory
[N=0]

{Strain characterization, number identified, per cent of total number}

NACI recommends that the trivalent vaccine for the 2006-2007 season in Canada contain A/New Caledonia/20/1999 (H1N1)-like, A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like, and B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like virus antigens.

Influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rates, Canada, by report week, 2006-2007 compared to 1996/97 through to 2005/06 seasons

Note: No data available for mean rate in previous years for weeks 19 to 39 (1996-1997 through 2002-2003 seasons).

Number of New Outbreaks in Long Term Care Facilities, Canada, by Report Week, 2006-2007

Please note that the above graphs may change as late returns come in.

Definitions for the 2006-2007 season

[FluWatch]