With the weekly rate of positive flu tests at 6.4 percent — above the seasonal limit of 5.0 percent — the country may be heading for a flu epidemic, according to a recent report by the Public Service Health Canada (PHAC). “Flu season is on and it’s coming out with a bang,” Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital, told Global News.

		Read more: Ontario prepares for flu season 		
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			Ontario is gearing up for flu season

Although flu outbreaks occur on an annual basis, according to Bogoch, this flu season is emerging faster than most. Story continues below ad

			Flu cases are “much higher” this season

Despite the first two years of the COVID pandemic, where flu activity remained low, the percentage of tests that are currently positive for flu is “much higher” than typically expected, Bogoch said. Next week, if flu levels remain this high or anywhere above the 5.0 percent mark, PHAC plans to declare a nationwide outbreak, the agency said in its most recent flu report. Between October 16 and October 29, 1,508 laboratory detections of influenza were reported. Provinces including Ontario and New Brunswick have recently reported detected flu activity in four areas. In addition, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Alberta have also reported sporadic activity in 20 areas. 9:40 Respiratory virus explosion, colds and flu create ‘perfect storm’ in emergency rooms At this time in 2016, influenza activity has remained at seasonal levels with the majority of regions in Canada reporting low or no influenza activity. In 2017 at this time, it remained below the seasonal limit. Story continues below ad So far this flu season, more than half of those infected have been children and teenagers. A total of 17 laboratory-confirmed flu cases have also been reported across Canada since reporting began on August 28. Six of these cases were in long-term care facilities, three in acute care facilities and one in a school or daycare. Current trend

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Increased flu activity occurs primarily in the influenza A strain of the virus, according to PHAC. Across the United States’ borders, an early surge in flu cases has pushed hospitalization rates to a decade high for this season, US health officials said Friday. Story continues below ad “I wouldn’t be surprised if (Canada sees) what they see, a few weeks later,” Bogoch said. “One of the challenges we face is that our health system is already stretched. We are already in a difficult position and the flu season is really in its infancy.” “We know it’s going to add additional stressors to an already strained health care system,” Bogoch added. 1:39 Flu cases are on the rise in Alberta. new bivalent vaccine for COVID-19 approved In Canada each year, the flu causes about 12,200 hospital stays, according to the federal government. It is also among the ten leading causes of death in the country, claiming the lives of approximately 3,500 people each year.

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Since the start of the flu season this year, 72 flu-related hospitalizations have been reported. There were also eight ICU admissions. Story continues below ad

			Get the flu shot, experts say

The best way to stay protected from the flu, health experts say, is to get the flu shot. “It’s really simple. It’s important for people to get vaccinated,” Bogoch said. “Vaccines are) very good at protecting people from the flu, and if you do get it, they can lessen the severity of the illness.” Hand hygiene and wearing a mask indoors can also “significantly reduce” the risk of catching the flu or other respiratory viruses, according to Bogoch.

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Other health experts, including Canada’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Theresa Tam, also urged Canadians to get the flu shot, along with their bivalent vaccine for COVID-19, to stay protected as colder weather approaches months. Story continues below ad In addition to the flu, PHAC is also preparing for a “worst-case scenario” in terms of COVID-19 variants this fall as a resurgence of the virus looms. “We’ve just been through the biggest pandemic of our time and it’s very important that we take into account the lessons learned and be as objective as we can,” Tam said last month. In addition to the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity has also increased above expected levels for this time of year, according to PHAC. However, when it comes to transmission of other respiratory viruses, PHAC says activity is “relatively steady” and roughly expected for this time of year. — With files from The Canadian Press and Reuters © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.