An early onset of the flu season in Canada is affecting children significantly, leading to a surge of young patients in multiple pediatric hospitals. Medical professionals are cautioning that emergency visits and hospitalizations may continue to rise in the coming weeks.
In Ottawa’s CHEO, the children’s hospital in eastern Ontario, there has been an eight-fold increase in children testing positive for influenza in November compared to the same period in 2024, with double the number requiring hospitalization. Many of these children had not received the seasonal flu vaccine, as reported by the emergency department team at CHEO.
On a particularly busy day, the hospital experienced an unprecedented influx of nearly 300 young patients in the emergency department, representing a roughly 20% increase from the previous year, according to Karen Macauley, the vice-president of acute care services at CHEO.
The escalating patient volumes are straining the hospital’s capacity, necessitating the use of overflow spaces for patient care. Public health forecasts indicate a peak in flu cases is anticipated later in December, adding further pressure on the already burdened facilities.
Similar increases in flu cases have been observed at children’s hospitals in Ontario and Quebec, with medical facilities preparing for a demanding period ahead. Dr. Harley Eisman, medical director at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, noted a significant rise in patient visits to the emergency department, with over 200 patients being seen daily.
The St. Joseph’s Health Centre Just for Kids Clinic in Toronto is also witnessing more cases of influenza-like illnesses, emphasizing the importance of timely flu vaccinations for families. The clinic’s chief of pediatrics, Dr. Anne Wormsbecker, highlighted common symptoms such as runny nose, cough, prolonged fevers, and gastrointestinal issues.
Nationwide, positive tests for influenza A at pediatric hospitals surged by eight percent from mid to late November, indicating a rise in flu prevalence among children and teenagers compared to other respiratory infections. The Surveillance Program for the Rapid Identification and Tracking of Infectious Diseases in Kids reported these trends across multiple Canadian pediatric hospital sites.
Health experts had anticipated a challenging flu season, given the global spread of an H3N2 influenza A strain associated with increased hospitalizations. Recent mutations in the virus may pose challenges for this season’s flu vaccine effectiveness, with H3N2 currently being the predominant subtype in Canada.
Despite concerns about a potential mismatch between the vaccine and circulating strains, researchers like Dr. Srinivas Murthy from B.C. Children’s Hospital emphasize the vaccine’s ability to provide substantial protection against severe flu-related illnesses. Dr. Murthy warns that surges in flu cases observed in certain regions could spread across the country in the coming weeks.
Health officials in various Northern Hemisphere countries are monitoring the flu situation closely, with the U.K. and the U.S. also reporting increased flu activity. As the flu season progresses, experts anticipate older adults to be particularly vulnerable to the H3N2 strain, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.
The global outlook on flu season remains concerning, with rising cases prompting heightened vigilance and preventative measures across healthcare systems worldwide.
