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EDMONTON — Flu activity across Canada has surged past recent seasonal highs, with Alberta seeing a heavy share of outbreaks as health officials warn the respiratory virus season remains intense.
New data from the Public Health Agency of Canada show the national influenza test positivity rate reached 32.4% in the week ending Dec. 20, surpassing the highest level recorded over the past three seasons. While the pace of increase has slowed slightly, experts say it is still unclear whether the country has reached its seasonal peak.
In Alberta, provincial data point to widespread transmission. The Government of Alberta reports 773 respiratory virus outbreaks so far this season, including 136 linked to influenza. Schools accounted for the largest share of outbreaks, followed by long-term care and child care facilities, with Edmonton and Calgary zones reporting the highest totals.
Health officials say influenza A, particularly the H3N2 subtype, has been the dominant strain, a pattern often associated with more severe outcomes among seniors. Since August, nearly 5,500 Canadians have been hospitalized with the flu and 74 deaths have been reported nationally.
Authorities continue to urge vaccination and caution that hospitals remain under pressure as flu season overlaps with ongoing COVID-19 and RSV activity.
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