Public Health Agency of Canada
www.publichealth.gc.ca
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- Definitions & calendar for the 2013-2014 Season
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Isolations - Weekly FluWatch Reports Archive
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Overall Summary
- Influenza activity in Canada remained at inter-seasonal levels during this 2-week period.
- The number of laboratory tests positive for all respiratory viruses was similar to previous weeks.
- The ILI consultation rate was stable in recent weeks.
NOTE: This is the first report for the 2013-2014 influenza season. Fortnightly reports will continue until October 11, 2013. Laboratory detections reported through the Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System and influenza activity level maps continue to 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.
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