Manitoba data missing from Health Canada flu report

Health Canada says it has received no flu data from the Manitoba government this month as it tracks one of the worst influenza seasons in the country in years.

The Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report offers a weekly overview of key trends in respiratory viruses by using data from multiple sources across Canada. Its latest interactive map shows flu activity almost coast to coast for the week ending Dec. 13 — except for Manitoba and Nova Scotia, that reported “no data.”

Winnipeg epidemiologist Cynthia Carr said it’s the first time she has noticed Manitoba is absent from the map.

“I do review this data fairly routinely, and this is the first time looking at the interactive data map and seeing no data being submitted,” Carr said Tuesday.

“That’s obviously not ideal in terms of ongoing surveillance and disclosures for people to review,” said the principal consultant at EPI Research Inc.

The provincial government said Tuesday it was looking into the reasons for the lack of data. It did not give an explanation by the end of day.

The province did issue a news release that warned this year’s respiratory virus season started earlier and is more severe; Manitobans were urged to get vaccinated.

“Severe outcomes are already occurring, particularly in unvaccinated people and can affect otherwise healthy children, and include hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths,” the release said.

The province posted its latest respiratory virus surveillance report for the week ending Dec. 13. It shows 121 associated hospital admissions, with 14 patients needing intensive care and 15 associated fatalities. Thirty fatalities have been reported so far this flu season in Manitoba.

It said 20.6 per cent of the overall Manitoba population has been vaccinated for the current flu season. Among Manitobans age 65 and older, 54.4 per cent got the shot.

Vaccination rates this flu season are lower for all age groups than last season, “and this particular variant is hitting young people hard and it’s increasing quickly,” Carr said.

“Our youngest, who are the hardest hit, are more likely to be hospitalized or have severe outcomes,” she said.

Twelve per cent of one- to four-year-olds received flu shots this year compared to 17 per cent last year.

Ten per cent of five- to 19-year-olds are vaccinated compared to 17 per cent last year, she said.

“Combined with this strain, that tends to create more challenges or illness for our youngest residents — this is really creating a more risky situation, unfortunately.” Carr echoed the province’s call for Manitobans to get the COVID-19 and flu shots that are widely available and free for all Manitobans aged six months and older. She urged adults and kids to do it this week.

“If you could possibly pop in to your pharmacy or see a health-care provider to get yourself and your child vaccinated, that starts to develop and work with your immune system over the next two weeks,” she said.

“Looking into New Year’s Eve, you’re starting to get some protection,” Carr said.

Influenza B, one of the strains targeted by the vaccine, can bring serious illness closer to the start of spring, she noted.

While this year’s flu vaccine has been criticized for not being a close match to the strain that is circulating, it is worth getting, Carr said.

“It’s still having an impact in terms of the duration of illness, the severity of illness, even though it’s not a perfect match,” the epidemiologist said. “It’s still showing about a 70 per cent effectiveness in reducing hospitalization among kids and about 35 per cent, at least, in older adults.”

Every vaccinated person makes a difference in protecting those who are most vulnerable and easing the burden on the health-care system, the province’s news release said.

For the week ending Dec. 13, Manitoba’s flu surveillance reported 1,896 respiratory-related emergency department visits.

Long-term care homes counted 17 flu outbreaks. Hospitals reported three outbreaks.

Carr said anyone who doesn’t feel well should consider wearing a mask and avoid holiday gatherings.

“With influenza, it’s not like COVID-19 where there can be kind of that length of time where you don’t know you’re infected or infectious,” Carr said.

“Influenza tends to hit hard and fast. So if you’re suddenly feeling sick, stay home, stay in bed, because it could very well be influenza, if you get that severe onset of symptoms with fever, achiness, things like that.”

Health Canada’s wastewater monitoring report showed high levels of the flu in Manitoba as of Dec. 7, with samples from Winnipeg’s North End and South End representing 43.2 per cent of the province’s population. Samples also showed moderate levels of COVID-19 and RSV.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca