Public Health Agency of Canada
www.publichealth.gc.ca
FluWatch Quick Links
- Subscribe to FluWatch reports
- Definitions & calendar for the 2012-2013 Season
- Respiratory Virus Detections/
Isolations - Weekly FluWatch Reports Archive
- Annual & Interim Influenza Surveillance Reports
- Articles by Influenza Surveillance Section Members
- Provincial/Territorial & International Influenza Surveillance Links
- Interested in becoming a sentinel practitioner?
- Influenza Links
Overall Summary
- Influenza activity in Canada continued its slow decline in week 20, with the percentage of laboratory tests positive for influenza at 6.7%. Influenza B was the predominant type, and detections continued to decrease.
- Detections of rhinovirus and parainfluenza continued to increase slowly, while detections of most other respiratory viruses were stable or decreasing in week 20.
- The ILI consultation rate decreased and was within the expected range. The number of regions reporting localized activity was similar to previous weeks.
Note: This is the final weekly report for the 2012-13 influenza season. Bi-weekly reports will commence on June 7th (for weeks 21 and 22). However, laboratory detections reported through the RVDSS and influenza activity level maps will be updated weekly on the FluWatch website.
About FluWatch
FluWatch is Canada's national surveillance system that monitors the spread of flu and flu-like illnesses on an on-going basis. FluWatch reports, posted every Friday, contain specific information for health professionals on flu viruses circulating in Canada.
The FluWatch program consists of a network of labs, hospitals, doctor's offices and provincial and territorial ministries of health. Program objectives include to:
- Detect flu outbreaks across the country as early as possible
- Provide timely up-to-date information on flu activity in Canada and abroad to health professionals [and interested Canadians]
- Monitor circulating strains of the flu virus (like H1N1) and assess their sensitivity to antiviral medications, [such as Tamiflu and Relenza]. Antivirals, when used by doctors to treat flu, can help reduce the severity of the illness and the recovery time for a patient
- Provide information that the World Health Organization can use to make its recommendations on the best vaccine to use for seasonal flu shots.
The Summary Box above covers the main findings from the current week's FluWatch report.
To share this page just click on the social network icon of your choice.