OBJECTIVE: This report summarizes influenza activity in Canada during the 2012-13 influenza season (August 26, 2012-August 24, 2013) from data obtained through the FluWatch surveillance program. METHODS: FluWatch collected information from six primary indicators of influenza activity that describe the epidemiologic and virologic behaviour of influenza in Canada: sentinel laboratory-based influenza detections; strain characterization and antiviral resistance for circulating influenza viruses; primary care consultation rates of influenza-like illness; regional influenza activity levels; influenza-associated severe outcomes; and pharmacy surveillance. RESULTS: The influenza season peaked nationally between late December 2012 and early January 2013 with influenza A(H3N2) identified as the predominant circulating influenza strain until early March, when influenza B became the predominant circulating strain. The cumulative reported hospitalization rates for all age groups were 25.0 per 100,000. Influenza A most greatly affected adults ≥65 years of age and influenza B most greatly affected children ≤19 years of age. CONCLUSION: The influenza season was moderately severe. When compared to the previous two seasons, which were considered relatively mild, there was a significant increase in laboratory detections for influenza, as well as hospitalizations associated with influenza in 2012-13.
OBJECTIVE: This report summarizes influenza activity in Canada during the 2012-13 influenza season (August 26, 2012-August 24, 2013) from data obtained through the FluWatch surveillance program. METHODS: FluWatch collected information from six primary indicators of influenza activity that describe the epidemiologic and virologic behaviour of influenza in Canada: sentinel laboratory-based influenza detections; strain characterization and antiviral resistance for circulating influenza viruses; primary care consultation rates of influenza-like illness; regional influenza activity levels; influenza-associated severe outcomes; and pharmacy surveillance. RESULTS: The influenza season peaked nationally between late December 2012 and early January 2013 with influenza A(H3N2) identified as the predominant circulating influenza strain until early March, when influenza B became the predominant circulating strain. The cumulative reported hospitalization rates for all age groups were 25.0 per 100,000. Influenza A most greatly affected adults ≥65 years of age and influenza B most greatly affected children ≤19 years of age. CONCLUSION: The influenza season was moderately severe. When compared to the previous two seasons, which were considered relatively mild, there was a significant increase in laboratory detections for influenza, as well as hospitalizations associated with influenza in 2012-13.
Authors: D M Skowronski; N Z Janjua; G De Serres; J A Dickinson; A-L Winter; S M Mahmud; S Sabaiduc; J B Gubbay; H Charest; M Petric; K Fonseca; P Van Caeseele; T L Kwindt; M Krajden; A Eshaghi; Y Li Journal: Euro Surveill Date: 2013-01-31
Authors: E Kissling; M Valenciano; U Buchholz; A Larrauri; J M Cohen; B Nunes; J Rogalska; D Pitigoi; I Paradowska-Stankiewicz; A Reuss; S Jiménez-Jorge; I Daviaud; R Guiomar; J O'Donnell; G Necula; M Głuchowska; A Moren Journal: Euro Surveill Date: 2014-02-13
Authors: Danuta M Skowronski; Naveed Z Janjua; Gaston De Serres; Suzana Sabaiduc; Alireza Eshaghi; James A Dickinson; Kevin Fonseca; Anne-Luise Winter; Jonathan B Gubbay; Mel Krajden; Martin Petric; Hugues Charest; Nathalie Bastien; Trijntje L Kwindt; Salaheddin M Mahmud; Paul Van Caeseele; Yan Li Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-03-25 Impact factor: 3.240