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Tag: influenza

Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

Flu driving spike in respiratory illness in B.C., but COVID-19 numbers low

Published January 9, 2025

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Published by: The Canadian Press
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VANCOUVER – New data shared by British Columbia’s Centre for Disease Control shows the province has one of the worst flu rates in Canada, as a holiday-season spike in respiratory illnesses continues.

But the data also shows the province has one of the lowest COVID-19 test positivity rates in the country, at about half the national rate.

Dr. Jennifer Vines, interim medical director for public health response at the B.C. CDC, says respiratory illness has been “steadily climbing” over the past several weeks, with RSV and influenza “driving the increase right now.”

Continue readingFlu driving spike in respiratory illness in B.C., but COVID-19 numbers low
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Topic: New BrunswickView all posts for the topic: New Brunswick

COVID isn’t just ‘a bad flu,’ and NBers need to know that: Coon

Published January 9, 2025

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Published by: Telegraph-Journal
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By Andrew Waugh

Green leader cites huge difference in death toll between viruses

“(COVID) isn’t just respiratory. We know that it affects other organs – not just the lungs, but the heart, the brain and other (organs). So there needs to be a much greater focus on prevention, and what does that look like based on what’s been learned about the circumstances and risk factors leading up to those deaths?”

“Related to that is there needs to be a greater effort at awareness and outreach to the general population on COVID – that this is not just the flu. And we know that science continues to progress here. It’s now well understood that the more (times) people get COVID, the greater their chance of long COVID.”

– David Coon, leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick, Canada
Continue readingCOVID isn’t just ‘a bad flu,’ and NBers need to know that: Coon
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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

B.C. orders masks for hospitals, care facilities as flu, respiratory illness increase

Published January 8, 2025

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Published by: The Canadian Press
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VICTORIA – Medical masks are again required in British Columbia health-care facilities as provincial authorities say cases of respiratory illness are rising.

A statement from B.C.’s Health Ministry says workers, volunteers and visitors in facilities operated by provincial health authorities must wear masks in areas where patients are receiving care in order to prevent the spread of the flu, RSV and COVID-19.

The requirement spans hospitals, long-term care and assisted living facilities, outpatient clinics and ambulatory care settings, and it’s expected to remain in effect until the risk of illness decreases, likely in the spring.

Continue readingB.C. orders masks for hospitals, care facilities as flu, respiratory illness increase
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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

Masking required at all B.C. health-care facilities once again

Published January 8, 2025

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Published by: CBC News
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Masks must again be worn in health-care facilities across B.C., according to the province’s Health Ministry.

In an email to CBC News, the Ministry of Health said the requirement came into effect on Jan. 6, and everyone in health-care facilities, including staff, patients, visitors and volunteers, must wear medical masks “in areas where patients are actively seeking care.”

The move is in response to what the ministry says is a rise in influenza and RSV infections in B.C. COVID-19, it said, is “stable but showing early signs of an increase.”

Continue readingMasking required at all B.C. health-care facilities once again
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Topic: cardiovascular diseaseView all posts for the topic: cardiovascular disease

COVID-19 linked to more heart complications than flu, RSV

Published December 16, 2024

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Published by: CIDRAP
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By Stephanie Soucheray

A new study published in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders shows that pediatric and young adult COVID-19 patients are more at risk for cardiac complications than flu or RSV patients of the same age.

The study was based on hospitalized US patients from 2020 through 2021 tracked through the National Inpatient Sample. In total 212,655 respiratory virus admissions were recorded, including 85,055 from COVID-19, 103,185 from RSV, and 24,415 from influenza.

Continue readingCOVID-19 linked to more heart complications than flu, RSV
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Topic: avian fluView all posts for the topic: avian flu

B.C. teen with avian flu remains in critical care, no other cases identified

Published November 26, 2024

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Published by: CTV News
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By Kaija Jussinoja

The teenager who is infected with the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza acquired in Canada remains in critical care at BC Children’s Hospital, officials said Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference in Victoria, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the young person is stable, but still very sick and on a respirator.

Continue readingB.C. teen with avian flu remains in critical care, no other cases identified
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Topic: avian fluView all posts for the topic: avian flu

California reveals suspected avian flu case in child with mild symptoms

Published November 19, 2024

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Published by: CIDRAP
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By Lisa Schnirring

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today said tests have identified a suspected avian flu infection in a child from Alameda County who had mild upper respiratory symptoms and no known contact with infected animals.

If confirmed, the case would mark the second avian flu infection in a child in North America from a yet undetermined source. Last week, health officials in Canada reported an H5N1 infection in a previously healthy British Columbia teen who is hospitalized in critical condition.

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Topic: avian fluView all posts for the topic: avian flu

Wastewater testing for avian influenza to begin in some Ontario communities

Published November 8, 2024

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Published by: Ottawa Citizen
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By Elizabeth Payne

As bird flu infections continue to rise among livestock and humans in the United States, surveillance is ramping up in Canada.

Wastewater testing for the H5N1 bird flu virus is set to begin in the coming weeks in Ontario communities considered at high risk, said Rob Delatolla, whose University of Ottawa lab will lead the wastewater surveillance as part of a research program based at the University of Guelph. That will likely mean testing wastewater in communities in agricultural regions of the province. It is unclear whether there will also be testing in larger cities.

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Topic: New BrunswickView all posts for the topic: New Brunswick

‘A bit disappointing’: How many NBers have gotten new COVID, flu shots

Published November 8, 2024

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Published by: Telegraph-Journal
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By Andrew Waugh

Just over 52,000 New Brunswickers have received the latest COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 91,000 have received this year’s flu shot since they became available on Oct. 3, according to the government.

Continue reading‘A bit disappointing’: How many NBers have gotten new COVID, flu shots
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Topic: avian fluView all posts for the topic: avian flu

CDC expands avian flu testing for farm workers, notes 7% infection rate in those exposed to infected cows

Published November 7, 2024

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Published by: CIDRAP
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By Lisa Schnirring

An eagerly anticipated serology study in farm workers exposed to H5N1-infected dairy cattle shows that 7% had antibodies suggesting prior infection, findings that today triggered enhanced testing, prophylactic (preventive) treatment, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Continue readingCDC expands avian flu testing for farm workers, notes 7% infection rate in those exposed to infected cows
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Topic: JapanView all posts for the topic: Japan

Japan COVID deaths 14 times that of flu after guidelines lifted

Published October 24, 2024

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Published by: Kyodo News+
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More than 30,000 people in Japan died of COVID-19 in the first year after most coronavirus-related guidelines were lifted in May 2023, a figure over 14 times higher than deaths caused by influenza during the same period, government data showed Thursday.

Coronavirus infections led to 32,576 deaths during the 12 months, with those aged 65 or older accounting for 97 percent of the total, while the number of influenza fatalities reached 2,244, according to the health ministry’s vital statistics.

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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

CHEO introduces new ‘safety measures’ for viral season, including masking requirements

Published October 22, 2024

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Published by: CTV News
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By Josh Pringle

Eastern Ontario’s children’s hospital is reintroducing safety measures for the viral season, including requiring people to wear a mask in clinical areas and waiting rooms and limiting the number of caregivers accompanying a patient to an appointment.

CHEO says the viral season can bring a “triple threat for children and youth” with seasonal influenza, COVID-19 and RSV.

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Topic: Northwest TerritoriesView all posts for the topic: Northwest Territories

NWT coughs up flu and Covid vaccine clinic dates

Published October 10, 2024

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Published by: Cabin Radio
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By Ollie Williams

Dates for flu and Covid vaccination clinics in the Northwest Territories have been made public on the territorial health authority’s website.

The website now shows dates in November for Yellowknife, late October for Fort Smith and Hay River, and mid-October in Inuvik.

Not all communities have specific dates. Some residents are told to contact their local health centre instead.

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Topic: QuebecView all posts for the topic: Quebec

Quebec launches annual flu/COVID vaccination campaign

Published October 7, 2024

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Published by: Montreal Gazette
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By Aaron Derfel

Quebec public health authorities on Monday launched the annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaign, administering the shots first to people in long-term care before making the vaccines available for free to the general population as of Oct. 16.

And for the first time this year, medical staff will be immunizing infants up the age of 18 months against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a seasonal pathogen that often leads to overcrowded pediatric emergency rooms during the winter. Health Canada has approved a monoclonal antibody therapy, Nirsevimab, which is now being injected into premature infants in Quebec before they leave the hospital.

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Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

Updated COVID, flu vaccines arrive in London region, and health officials suggest you get both

Published October 6, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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Shipments of updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines have arrived in the London region, according to the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU), with more rolling in as respiratory virus season inches closer.

A spokesperson for the MLHU said high risk populations are eligible for the shots for now, and the general population will have to wait until the end of the month to update their immunization.

Continue readingUpdated COVID, flu vaccines arrive in London region, and health officials suggest you get both
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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

Ottawa’s wastewater surveillance program extended for another year

Published October 4, 2024

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Published by: Ottawa Citizen
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By Elizabeth Payne

Two months after the Ontario government pulled the plug on wastewater surveillance, Ottawa health and research institutions have teamed up to extend the program in the city for a least another year.

Calling it an innovative solution that allowed for better monitoring of COVID-19 in the community, CHEO, the CHEO Research Institute, the University of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health announced an extension of wastewater surveillance on Friday.

In addition to monitoring COVID-19 levels in wastewater, the program monitors levels of influenza, RSV and mpox in Ottawa. The program has been extended until September 2025.

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Topic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau

uOttawa, CHEO and OPH extend monitoring of viruses in wastewater to 2025

Published October 4, 2024

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Published by: CTV News
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By Ted Raymond

Our research group is truly grateful for the overwhelming support we’ve received from the community over the past few months through emails, letters, and phone calls advocating for the continuation of our wastewater monitoring system.

We’ve gained invaluable insights into how this information is essential for community members facing health challenges, and we are thrilled to continue providing this vital service. A heartfelt thank you to OPH, CHEO, and CHEO-RI for their unwavering support.

— Dr. Robert Delatolla
Continue readinguOttawa, CHEO and OPH extend monitoring of viruses in wastewater to 2025
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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

No flu or COVID-19 vaccines for medical clinics as Alberta’s fall immunization launch nears

Published October 4, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Jennifer Lee

Family doctors and nurse practitioners have been told they will not be receiving deliveries of flu or COVID-19 vaccines in time for the fall immunization program launch later this month. And it is unclear if they will get any at all.

In addition to AHS public health clinics and pharmacies, community medical clinics can administer publicly funded vaccines, including those that protect against COVID and influenza.

But shipments of vaccines — to these clinics — have stopped, jeopardizing their participation in the fall immunization campaign.

Continue readingNo flu or COVID-19 vaccines for medical clinics as Alberta’s fall immunization launch nears
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