New Brunswick reports first flu case of the season | CBC News

A case of the flu was reported in New Brunswick during the first five weeks of the 2022-23 season, according to Public Health.

The case of influenza A virus (non-subtyped) was reported in the Moncton area, zone 1, between August 28 and October 1, weeks 35 to 39, according to the latest influenza surveillance report released on Thursday has been published.

The flu-like illness consultation rate was within expected levels for this time of year (zero per 1,000 patient visits) at weeks 35, 38, and 39, but was “higher than expected” at weeks 36 and 37, at 15 and 16.8, respectively. per 1,000 visits, they say.

No new influenza-related hospitalizations or deaths were reported.

No new flu-like outbreaks have been reported in nursing homes or hospitals, but at least three have been reported in schools – one in the Moncton area, zone 1, and two in the Saint John area, zone 2.

The number of influenza-like illness (ILI) outbreaks in schools should be interpreted with caution, the report advises.

“During this 2022-2023 flu season, the number of school ILI outbreaks (based on more than 10 [per cent] Absences from school due to ILI symptoms, which cannot be identified for many schools) could be misrepresented due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, as the distinction between a flu-like illness and a COVID-like illness is not always obvious.

No cases this time last year

dr Yves Léger, acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, has repeatedly warned that after two years of relatively low numbers, increased influenza activity is expected in the province later this autumn and winter.

With fewer people choosing to get the flu shot over the past two years due to a lull in influenza cases, and COVID-19 protective measures such as masking and physical distancing ending last spring, more people are at increased risk of contracting the flu, experts said.

Normally, the flu season really starts in January, Léger said. But New Brunswick has already seen an unusual resurgence of the flu, with about 400 cases documented over the summer.

A total of 442 cases were reported during the 2021-22 season, which ended on August 27.

No cases were reported in the first five weeks of this season.

41% of national cases in adolescents

Across Canada, influenza activity “is low and remains at interseasonal levels,” the provincial report said.

A total of 254 laboratory detections (235 influenza A and 19 influenza B) were reported between August 28 and October 1.

Among those who provided detailed age information, 41 percent were children and adolescents (aged 0 to 19 years).

“The percentage of FluWatchers reporting fever and cough was 2.3 [per cent] in week 39 and has shown an upward trend since week 35.”

vaccinations encouraged

The flu shot is recommended for all New Brunswickers six months or older, with a higher dose for those age 65 and older.

It is available free of charge from several pharmacies, as well as from primary care providers such as doctors, nurses and public health nurses.

Out-of-province students can get their flu shots through the student health services at their respective post-secondary institutions. New residents and non-residents without a health insurance card can get a free flu shot at the pharmacy.

It can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to protect against the flu.

Of the 442 flu cases reported in New Brunswick during the 2021-22 season, 441 were type A.

The regional breakdown includes:

• Moncton Region, Zone 1, 239.
• Saint John Region, Zone 2, 71.
• Fredericton Region, Zone 3, 88.
• Edmundston Region, Zone 4, 14.
• Campbellton region, zone 5, eight.
• Bathurst Region, Zone 6, 18.
• Miramichi region, zone 7, three.

The only reported Type B case was in the Fredericton area.

Ninety-two people were hospitalized during the season and five died.

In 2020-21, only one case of influenza was reported across New Brunswick, with no hospitalizations and no deaths.

For comparison, in 2019/20, at the start of the pandemic, there were 2,351 cases nationwide. And in 2018-19, before the pandemic, 3,008.