Confirmed flu cases in northeastern Ontario much higher than the same time last year
CBC
Confirmed flu cases in northeastern Ontario are much higher now than they were at the same period last year.
As of Dec. 20, the North Bay and Parry Sound districts had 267 lab-confirmed cases, compared to just three at the same time last year.
For the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, there were 128 lab-confirmed cases as of Dec. 22.
“This is higher than what we've seen in the last few flu seasons where the peak of the season happened a little later, around February,” said Katie Junkin, a specialist in health protection with Public Health Sudbury and Districts.
Junkin said there have been 12 flu-related hospitalizations in Sudbury in the past week.
“We do know that flu can be very serious, especially in individuals who might be immune-compromised as well as our younger populations under the age of five and our more elderly populations.,” she said.
Dr. Carol Zimbalatti, the medical officer of health for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, said most people won’t have strong immunity against the H3N3 influenza A subtype that is currently circulating across the country.
Zimbalatti said the subtype mutated rapidly in the southern hemisphere before spreading north.
“This has likely contributed to some immune escape, meaning that people who have been previously infected with H3N2 might not have great immunity because the virus has changed enough that our immune systems aren't prepared with the right antibodies to fight it,” she said.
Zimbalatti said that while this year’s vaccine is a “sub-optimal” match for H3N2, it can still protect people from hospitalization and more severe symptoms.
She said that due to the high number of new infections, the health unit has added additional vaccination clinics. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are also available at pharmacies.
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