The province's chief medical officer of health spoke to media Tuesday and said cases of influenza A, which were rising at record-breaking speed, have peaked and are starting to fall. Influenza B cases however, are likely to continue to rise for another couple of weeks.-NEWS FILE PHOTO
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
While the province experienced a significant wave of influenza A this year, data suggests the worst may be past.
During a media availability Tuesday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vivien Suttorp shared that early indicators suggest influenza A, or H3N2, activity has reached its peak.
“Over the course of December, influenza A activity rose steeply and placed significant pressure on emergency departments, congregate care sites and care providers across the province,” said Suttorp. “We are now seeing test positivity rates decline. Case counts are beginning to fall, and the number of Albertans admitted to hospital with influenza A is starting to drop.”
Over the reporting week of Dec. 28 to Jan. 3, test positivity declined from 36 to 29 per cent, and influenza cases have decreased from 2,539 to 1,988, said Suttorp. Hospitalizations also dropped during the reporting period, with the peak falling around Dec. 31.
Suttorp warned that while these numbers are encouraging, the influenza season is far from over.
“We are seeing increases in circulation of influenza B,” said Suttorp. “Influenza B often emerges later in the season. While these waves tend to be smaller and associated with milder outcomes in immunized Albertans, they can still cause significant illness, especially in those who are not protected.”
While COVID-19 numbers remain stable and low, they are also seeing an increase in respiratory syncytial virus cases, when RSV normally peaks in December. Based on historical trends, Suttorp expects to see RSV cases increase until late January.
“Our health system, like others across the country, has been under tremendous strain. Hospital and emergency departments remain busy with patients who are ill with respiratory viruses along with the usual concerns we see in winter months,” said Suttorp. “Surge protocols are in place and activated when needed and health-care teams across the province continue to respond with dedication and expertise.”
Albertans are encouraged to stay home when feeling unwell to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses, alongside other common measures such as hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and cleaning high touch surfaces regularly.
Suttorp also stressed the importance of influenza immunization. Even with some mismatch between this year’s vaccine and influenza A H3N2, the vaccine still offers valuable protection, particularly against severe illness,” said Suttorp.
“We continue to see that people who are immunized experience fewer complications and that the vaccine provides meaningful protection for both influenza A strains and influenza B,” said Suttorp.
