Majority of regions in Canada reporting no influenza activity
During weeks 31 and 32, influenza activity in Canada remained low with the majority of the influenza surveillance regions reporting no activity (see map). The percentage of specimens that tested positive for influenza was 0.1% (1/1,247) for Canada as a whole over the two-week period (see table). To date this season, 58% of influenza detections in Canada were for influenza A viruses and 42% were for influenza B viruses. This week, the ILI consultation rate was 3 ILI consultations per 1,000 patient visits (see ILI graph), which is below the expected range for this week. The sentinel response rate was low at 27%. Fluctuations in ILI consultation rates are expected during periods of low influenza activity and low sentinel participation. No new outbreaks have been reported since week 22.

Antigenic Characterization & Antiviral Resistance:
No new antigenic characterizations or antiviral resistance results were reported by the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in weeks 31 and 32. Please see pie chart below or refer to the previous report for further information: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/07-08/w29-30_08/index-eng.php.

Influenza-associated Paediatric Hospitalizations:
In weeks 31 & 32, there were no new laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated paediatric hospitalizations reported through the Immunization Monitoring Program Active (IMPACT) network. For further information, refer to the previous report: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fluwatch/07-08/w27-28_08/index-eng.php.

International:

WHO: During weeks 30–32, the level of overall influenza activity in the world increased. In the southern hemisphere, increase in both influenza activity and detection of influenza viruses was observed. Influenza A (H1), A(H3) and Influenza B circulated. Widespread outbreaks were reported in New Zealand. Countries in the northern hemisphere reported sporadic or no activity.

• WHO

EISS: In week 31, influenza virus detections were sporadic in Europe. In week 30 there was one detection and in week 31 there were five detections. The geographical spread was reported by 13 countries: one country reported sporadic influenza activity as and 12 countries reported no influenza activity.

• EISS

Australia: Laboratory-confirmed influenza notifications have increased significantly over the last week in several states and territories, indicating that the influenza season has started. To date, 55% of typed notifications have been influenza A; however, in recent weeks there has been an increase in the relative proportion of influenza B notifications, and currently notifications are approximately 50% influenza A and 50% influenza B.

• Australia

Human Avian Influenza: No new cases of human H5N1 avian influenza infection have been reported by the WHO since 19 June 2008.

• WHO

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Total number of influenza tests performed and number of positive tests by province/territory of testing laboratory, Canada, 2007-2008

Province of reporting laboratories	Report Period: July 27, 2008 to August 9, 2008				Season to Date: August 26, 2007 to August 9, 2008
	Total # Influenza Tests	# of Positive Tests			Total # Influenza Tests	# of Positive Tests
		Influenza A	Influenza B	Total		Influenza A	Influenza B	Total
NL	7	0	0	0	1548	85	133	218
PE	1	0	0	0	181	3	26	29
NS	14	0	0	0	1175	123	104	227
NB	9	0	0	0	1620	108	193	301
QC	266	0	0	0	32705	2239	1151	3390
ON	371	0	1	1	38547	2502	1813	4315
MB	61	0	0	0	2663	82	46	128
SK	89	0	0	0	6849	366	311	677
AB	413	0	0	0	34477	953	946	1899
BC	16	0	0	0	3814	589	477	1066
Canada	1247	0	1	1	123579	7050	5200	12250

 

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-eng.php>

Number of influenza surveillance regions† reporting widespread or localized influenza activity, Canada, by report week, 2007-2008 (N=54)

† 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, July 27, 2008 to August 9, 2008 (Weeks 31 & 32)
	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, 2007-2008

Percent positive influenza tests, compared to other respiratory viruses, Canada, by reporting week, 2007-2008

Influenza strain characterization, Canada, cumulative, 2007-2008 influenza season by the Respiratory Viruses Section at the National Microbiology Laboratory
[N=1,442]

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

NACI recommends that the trivalent vaccine for the 2007-2008 season in Canada contain A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 (H1N1)-like virus; an A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Malaysia/2506/2004-like virus.

Influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rates, Canada, by report week, 2007-2008 compared to 1996/97 through to 2006/07 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, 2007-2008

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

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Definitions for the 2007-2008 season