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Canada: A clear increase in laboratory-confirmed influenza is being reported from Alberta and Quebec this week. Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario are experiencing a mix of localized and sporadic influenza activity, whereas British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Nova Scotia are experiencing sporadic activity. The rest of the country reports no activity. During the week ending December 11 (week 50), sentinel physicians reported 13 cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) per 1000 patient visits, see ILI graph. Over the one week period from December 5 to December 11, the Public Health Agency of Canada received 1493 reports of laboratory tests for influenza, including 81 (5.4%) influenza A detections and one (0.1%) influenza B detection (see table below). The National Microbiology Laboratory has antigenically characterized 81 influenza viruses, including 79 (98%) A/Fujian/411/02(H3N2)-like, and two (2%) B/Shanghai/361/02. Detections of other respiratory viruses are at or below the expected range for this time of year. To date this season, there have been a total of 21 influenza outbreaks, of which 13 were reported in LTCF/ retirement lodges, three in hospitals and five in schools. Since October 9th 2004, there have been 17 reports through the IMPACT (Immunization Monitoring Program Active) network of laboratory confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations in children under 16 years. All reports have been influenza A viruses. Avian Influenza: An informal meeting between WHO, influenza vaccine manufacturers, national licensing agencies, and government representatives was held in Geneva, November 11-12 2004, of which proceedings are now available. There have been no new human cases of avian influenza H5N1 reported in Thailand or Viet Nam since October 25th 2004. United States: During the week ending December 4, 2004 (week 48), Alaska, New York, and New York City reported regional influenza activity. Four states (Kentucky, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Virginia) reported local activity. Thirty-six states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico reported sporadic activity. ILI accounted for 1.7% of patient visits to sentinel physicians, which is below the national baseline of 2.5%. Sentinel cities reported 5.9% of deaths as attributable to pneumonia and influenza, which is below the epidemic threshold of 7.5% for this week. During week 48, the CDC received 1,845 specimens for influenza testing and 49 (2.7%) were positive. Sixteen influenza A (H3N2), 22 unsubtyped influenza A viruses, and 11 influenza B viruses were identified. Up to November 27, the preliminary influenza hospitalizations rate for children 0-4 years old was 0.4 per 10,000 children. International: EISS: The number of laboratory confirmed cases of influenza in Europe is increasing, however no sub-type appears to be dominant yet. Influenza A has accounted for 84% of the isolates this season, with one-third being A(H1) and two-thirds A(H3).
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Total number of influenza tests performed and number of positive tests by province/territory of testing laboratory, Canada, 2004-2005
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:
Number of influenza surveillance regions† reporting widespread or localized influenza activity, Canada, by report week, 2004-2005 (N=52)
† 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, 2004-2005
Percent positive influenza tests, compared to other respiratory viruses by reporting week, Canada, 2004-2005
Influenza strain characterization, Canada, cumulative, 2004-2005 influenza season by the Respiratory Viruses Section at the National Microbiology Laboratory
NACI recommends that the trivalent vaccine for the 2004-2005 season in Canada contain A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1)-like, A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2)-like, and B/Shanghai/361/2002-like virus antigens.
Influenza-like illness (ILI) reporting rates, Canada, by report week, 2004-2005 compared to 1996/97 through 2004/2005 seasons
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/ 2004-2005 seasons, ILI is reported once every two weeks, on even weeks only
Number of Outbreaks in Long Term Care Facilities by Report Week, Canada, 2004-2005
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Please note that the above graphs may change as late returns come in. Definitions for the 2004-2005 season [FluWatch]
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Last Updated: 2004-12-17 |  |
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