Only three regions in Canada reporting sporadic influenza activity
During weeks 33 and 34, influenza activity in Canada remained low with the majority of the influenza surveillance regions reporting no activity (see map). In week 34, 3 regions reported sporadic influenza activity (2 in ON and 1 in AB). No data was received from BC, NB and NL in week 34. The percentage of specimens that tested positive for influenza was 0.4% (6/1,374) 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. In week 34, the ILI consultation rate was 3 ILI consultations per 1,000 patient visits (see ILI graph), which is within the expected range for this week. The sentinel response rate was low at 30%. 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 33 and 34. 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 33 & 34, 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 33–34, the overall influenza activity in the southern hemisphere declined, except for New Zealand where a widespread outbreak was reported. Activity was low in the rest of the world.

• WHO

EISS: Influenza virus detections occur sporadically in Europe. While no detections were reported in week 32, there were 2 detections of influenza virus in week 33. Fourteen countries reported an assessment of the geographical spread of influenza activity in week 33 of which 13 reported no influenza activity and Switzerland reported sporadic activity.

• EISS

Australia: Laboratory-confirmed influenza notifications have increased significantly over the last three weeks in several states and territories. National notification levels are considerably lower than at the same time in 2007 but similar to 2006. In recent weeks there has been an increase in the relative proportion of influenza B notifications reported, with 45% influenza A and 55% influenza B in this reporting period.

• 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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NOTE: Week 34 is the final week of the 2007-2008 influenza season in Canada. The next FluWatch report in two weeks will begin the 2008-2009 season.

 

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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: August 10, 2008 to August 23, 2008				Season to Date: August 26, 2007 to August 23, 2008
	Total # Influenza Tests	# of Positive Tests			Total # Influenza Tests	# of Positive Tests
		Influenza A	Influenza B	Total		Influenza A	Influenza B	Total
NL	6	0	0	0	1554	85	133	218
PE	1	0	0	0	182	3	26	29
NS	13	0	0	0	1188	123	104	227
NB	8	0	0	0	1628	108	193	301
QC	280	0	0	0	32985	2239	1151	3390
ON	327	1	2	3	38874	2503	1815	4318
MB	71	0	0	0	2734	82	46	128
SK	124	0	0	0	6973	366	311	677
AB	524	2	1	3	35001	955	947	1902
BC	20	0	0	0	3834	589	477	1066
Canada	1374	3	3	6	124953	7053	5203	12256

 

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, August 10, 2008 to August 16, 2008 (Weeks 33)
	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