Increasing Influenza Activity in Waterloo Region and Ontario

Waterloo Region - Influenza activity in Waterloo Region and in Ontario has increased over the last 2 weeks. As of December 16, 2014, there have been 12 reported cases of laboratory confirmed influenza in Waterloo Region, including 9 hospitalized cases and one death in an individual over the age of 65 with underlying health conditions. To date, the predominant influenza virus circulating in Ontario is influenza A (H3N2).

Commonly, when an A/H3N2 virus is the main circulating influenza virus, illness tends to be more severe. In the 2012-2013 season, when the influenza A/H3N2 virus predominated in Ontario, higher hospitalization rates and more mortality was observed compared to other influenza seasons, particularly among individuals 65 years of age and older, children under the age of 5 years and persons with certain chronic medical conditions.

Although there is limited information about currently circulating strains of influenza A/H3N2 in Ontario at this point, there are concerns about potential decreased protection of the 2014-2015 influenza vaccine. In Canada, 8 of 10 A/H3N2 strains tested did match the vaccine strain. This is consistent with early strain typing in the United States.

It is important to note that even in years where there has been an A/H3N2 mismatch, the influenza vaccine has been found to offer some cross protection against the drifted strain. Also, the influenza vaccine offers protection against other influenza viruses, such as influenza B.

The symptoms of influenza include sudden onset of fever, chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and muscle or joint aches. Influenza can cause more severe illness than the common cold. The infectious period for influenza ranges from two to five days (up to seven days in young children).

If a person experiences symptoms of respiratory illness they should:

• Stay home until the symptoms begin to lessen
• Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. Immediately dispose of the used tissue and wash hands
• Use the “Sleeve Sneeze” – cough or sneeze into the upper sleeve or elbow of clothing if tissues are not available
• Avoid touching your face
• Clean commonly touched surfaces frequently
• Frequently wash hands with soap and warm running water or use an alcohol-based hand rub/sanitizer
• Not visit persons in hospitals or retirement/long term care homes

Influenza immunization offers the best protection for persons over the age of six months and is available free of charge to all residents in Ontario. Given the increasing influenza activity, those who have not been vaccinated should be encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

General information about influenza and immunization is available on the Region of Waterloo Public Health website: www.region.waterloo.on.ca/ph.

Media contact: Julie Kalbfleisch, Manager, Information & Communications, 519-575-4400 ext.2270 - JKalbfleisch@regionofwaterloo.ca