Flu Hospitalizations Surge as H3N2 Tightens Its Grip Across Canada
Right now, Canada is seeing a sharp and worrying rise in flu cases, and it’s not just about more people getting sick at home. Hospitals across the country are feeling the pressure as influenza-related admissions have nearly doubled in just one week, according to the latest data from Health Canada. The main driver behind this surge is the influenza A H3N2 strain, which has become the dominant version of the virus spreading nationwide.
For the week ending December 13, more than 11,600 new flu cases were detected across Canada. That means nearly 28 percent of all flu tests came back positive, a significant jump from the previous week. Infections were reported to be up by more than 70 percent compared to earlier data, and this rapid increase has translated directly into more hospital visits. Hospitalization rates climbed from 3.6 to 6.2 people per 100,000 population in just one week, a clear sign that the illness is hitting harder this season.
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Outbreaks have also increased dramatically. At the beginning of December, fewer than 100 outbreaks were reported nationwide. Within a week, that number had doubled to 186. Flu activity has now been reported in 44 regions across 11 provinces and territories, with widespread activity confirmed in parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec. Health Canada has said that all indicators of influenza activity are high and continuing to rise, with no region being spared.
The most vulnerable groups are being affected the most. Seniors aged 65 and older and young children under the age of five are seeing the highest hospitalization rates. Nearly half of all new cases have been detected in people aged 19 or younger, highlighting how quickly the flu is spreading among children and teens. In Ottawa, the situation turned especially tragic, as three children between the ages of five and nine reportedly died from complications related to influenza A.
Children’s hospitals are under particular strain. In Ottawa, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario saw eight times more children test positive for influenza in November compared to the same time last year, along with double the number of flu-related hospital admissions. Emergency rooms in Alberta have also been flooded with flu patients as cases jumped by about 70 percent in a single week.
Health officials are stressing that the flu should not be dismissed as just a bad cold. The H3N2 strain is known to cause more severe illness, especially in young children and older adults. Vaccination has been strongly urged for everyone six months and older, as it remains one of the most effective ways to reduce severe illness and ease the growing strain on Canada’s healthcare system.
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