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Canada:
Widespread influenza activity is now limited to Quebec, with the
rest of the country reporting either sporadic or no activity (see map). Across Canada,
during the week ending January 31 (week 05), sentinel physicians reported
27 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) per 1000 patient visits, which is
below the expected range for this time of year (see ILI graph). Health Canada
received 3,182 reports of laboratory tests for influenza, including 465 (14.61%)
influenza A detections and 0 influenza B detections (see table below). The
National Microbiology Laboratory has antigenically characterized 630 influenza
viruses to date, 623/630 (99%) were influenza A viruses, including 596 (96%)
A/Fujian/411/02(H3N2)-like, 25 (4.0%) A/Panama/2007/99(H3N2)-like, 1 A/NewCaledonia/20/99(H1N1)-like
and 1 H1N2. Seven 7/630 were influenza B viruses, including 1 B/Hong Kong/330/2001-like
and 6 B/Sichuan/379/99-like. Detections of other respiratory viruses are
at or below the expected range for this time of year. To date, there have
been a total of 670 outbreaks reported, including 397 influenza confirmed
outbreaks in LTCF/retirement lodges (329) and hospitals (68) and 273 ILI
outbreaks schools (182) and other (91).
United
States:
CDC: (Note: at the time of this report, no update was available)
During the week ending January 24, 2004, widespread activity was reported
in 1 state while regional activity was reported by 20 states. ILI visits
accounted for 2.0% of patient visits to sentinel physicians, which is below
the national
baseline of 2.5%. Sentinel cities reported 9.7% of deaths attributable to
pneumonia and influenza, which is above the epidemic threshold of 8.2% for
this week. A total of 565 influenza A(H3N2) isolates have been characterized
to date; 106 (18.8%) were antigenically similar to the vaccine strain A/Panama/2007/99
and 459 (81.2%) were similar to the new drift variant A/Fujian/411/2002.
CDC: <http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/weekly.htm> ![New window](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/gfx_common/newwindow.gif)
International:
WHO and EISS: Influenza activity due to the A/Fujian-like virus has moved
across Europe this season from the west to east, now affecting Central Europe,
the Baltic States, Italy and Germany. The Russian Federation is reporting
widespread activity.
Avian Influenza: As of 6th February 2004, 20 cases of
laboratory confirmed avian influenza (H5N1) have been reported, 15 cases
in Viet Nam (11 deaths, 2 hospitalized, 2 recovered) and 5 cases in Thailand
(5 deaths). A joint FAO/OIE/WHO technical consultation in Rome has recognized
the immediate need for measures to prevent human infection in susceptible
groups such as poultry workers and cullers through personal protective equipment.
Culling remains the preferred method of control for poultry outbreaks, however
vaccination of healthy poultry can be used as a complementary tool for reducing
further spread (see WHO
H5N1 update). ![New window](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/gfx_common/newwindow.gif)
SARS: As of 6th February 2004, WHO
has reported a new confirmed case of SARS-CoV infection, bringing the total
to 3 confirmed cases and 1 probable case in unrelated residents of Guangzhou,
Guangdong Province, China. All patients have recovered and no illness was
seen in any of their contacts, including health care workers. Investigations
continue as to the source of infections.
EISS: <http://www.eiss.org> ![New window](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/gfx_common/newwindow.gif)
WHO H5N1 Update: <http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/> ![New window](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/gfx_common/newwindow.gif)
WHO SARS Update: <http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/> ![New window](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/gfx_common/newwindow.gif)
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Total number of influenza tests
performed and number of positive tests by province/territory of testing
laboratory, Canada, 2003-2004
Province
of
reporting
laboratories |
Report
Period:
January 25 - January 31, 2004 |
Season
to Date:
August 24, 2003 - January 31, 2004 |
Total #
Influenza
Tests |
# of
Positive Tests |
Total #
Influenza
Tests |
# of
Positive Tests |
Influenza
A |
Influenza
B |
Total |
Influenza
A |
Influenza
B |
Total |
NL |
104 |
23 |
0 |
23 |
726 |
137 |
0 |
137 |
PE |
15 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
61 |
23 |
0 |
23 |
NS |
57 |
9 |
0 |
9 |
1126 |
301 |
11 |
312 |
NB |
110 |
29 |
0 |
29 |
1158 |
272 |
0 |
272 |
QC |
1308 |
345 |
0 |
345 |
8069 |
1306 |
4 |
1310 |
ON |
883 |
43 |
0 |
43 |
22080 |
4327 |
13 |
4340 |
MB |
76 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2033 |
163 |
0 |
163 |
SK |
150 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
4971 |
1064 |
0 |
1064 |
AB |
355 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
10181 |
1173 |
0 |
1173 |
BC |
124 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
3081 |
782 |
1 |
783 |
Canada |
3182 |
465 |
0 |
465 |
53486 |
9548 |
29 |
9577 |
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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>
![top](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/gfx/topline600.gif)
Number of influenza surveillance
regions reporting widespread or localized influenza activity, Canada,
by report week, 2003-2004 (N=52)
![](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/03-04/w05_04/figures/flu0304-leg1-e.gif)
sub-regions within the province or territory as defined by the provincial/territorial
epidemiologist. Graph may change as late returns come in.
Influenza tests reported and percentage
of tests positive, Canada, by report week, 2003-2004
![Influenza tests reported and percentage of tests positive, Canada, by report week, 2003-2004](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/03-04/w05_04/figures/0504fg2e.gif)
![](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/03-04/w05_04/figures/flu0304-leg2-e.gif)
Percent positive influenza tests,
compared to other respiratory viruses by reporting week, Canada, 2003-2004
![Percent positive influenza tests, compared to other respiratory viruses by reporting week, Canada, 2003-2004](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/03-04/w05_04/figures/0504fg3e.gif)
![](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/03-04/w05_04/figures/flu0304-leg3-e.gif)
Influenza strain characterization,
Canada, cumulative, 2003-2004 influenza season by the Respiratory Viruses
Section at the National Microbiology Laboratory
[N=630]
![Influenza strain characterization, Canada, cumulative, 2003-2004 influenza season by the Respiratory Viruses Section at the National Microbiology Laboratory](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/03-04/w05_04/figures/0504fg4e.gif)
NACI recommended components of the 2003-2004 Canadian vaccine:
A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1)–like virus, A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2)-like virus and either B/Hong
Kong/330/2001-like or B/Shangdong/7/97-like virus. Note: the influenza A(H1N2)
virus strain is a reassortment virus derived from the influenza A (H1N1)
and A(H3N2) virus strains. This H1N2 strain circulated widely during the
2001-2002 season and the current vaccine is expected to provide protection
against this virus as well as providing good protection against A/Panama/2007/99(H3N2)-like
viruses and some cross protection against the new A/Fujian/411/2002(H3N2)-like
virus. However, the recently identified B/Sichuan/379/99-like viruses (B
component of the 2001-2002 influenza vaccine) belong to a different lineage
(B Yamagata lineage) than the B/Hong Kong/330/2001-like viruses included
in this year’s vaccine.
Influenza-like illness (ILI) reporting
rates, Canada, by report week, 2003-2004 compared to 1996/97 through 2002/2003
seasons
![Influenza-like illness (ILI) reporting rates, Canada, by report week, 2003-2004 compared to 1996/97 through 2002/2003 seasons](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/03-04/w05_04/figures/0504fg5e.gif)
![](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/03-04/w05_04/figures/flu0304-leg5-e.gif)
Note: No data available for mean rate in previous years
for weeks 21 to 39 (1996-1997 through 2002-2003 seasons). During weeks 20-39,
2002-2003/ 2003-2004 seasons, ILI is reported once every two weeks, on even
weeks only
Number of Outbreaks in Long Term
Care Facilities by Report Week, Canada, 2003-2004
![Number of Outbreaks in Long Term Care Facilities by Report Week, Canada, 2003-2004](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/03-04/w05_04/figures/0504fg6e.gif)
![](/web/20061212074912im_/http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/03-04/w05_04/figures/flu0304-leg6-e.gif)
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