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The 2006-2007 influenza surveillance season in Canada has officially started - sporadic influenza activity reported in British Columbia

During weeks 35 & 36, sporadic influenza activity was reported in the Vancouver Island and Fraser regions of British Columbia while the rest of the country reported no activity (see map). Over the two week period, PHAC received 1380 reports of laboratory tests for influenza and none were positive for influenza (see table). The ILI consultation rate increased from 3 per 1,000 patient visits in week 35 to 7 per 1,000 patient visits in week 36 (see ILI graph). Sentinel participation is currently low (~ 35% over the two week period) making the rates unstable. However, sentinel participation will increase to over 75% as the season progresses. No new influenza or ILI outbreaks were reported during weeks 35 and 36. In the current season to date, there have been no laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated pediatric hospitalizations reported through the IMPACT (Immunization Monitoring Program Active) network.

Antigenic Characterization:
The National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has not reported any influenza strain characterizations for the 2006-2007 influenza season (see pie chart). Strain characterization of the early season influenza isolates are pending.

International:
EISS: In week 35, no positive influenza specimens were reported to the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS).

• EISS

Human Avian Influenza:
Following the recent revision of case definitions for H5N1 infection by the WHO, the WHO has reported 5 additional cases with the H5N1 avian influenza virus in Indonesia. Three of the cases developed symptoms at various times in 2006: June (died), May (recovered) and March (died). The two other cases dated back to June (died) and November (recovered) of 2005.

• 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, September 3, 2006 to September 9, 2006 (Week 36)
	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]