Flu cases on the rise earlier this season compared to last across the Maritimes

An early surge in influenza has Maritimers and the healthcare system feeling the strain.

All three Maritime provinces are reporting a rise in flu numbers, and experts say the increase is happening earlier than in past years.

Horizon Health Network’s CEO says N.B. emergency rooms are already feeling the impact.

“And so we’ve certainly activated our plans,” Margaret Melanson told reporters Wednesday. “Typically, of course, flu in our area does affect seniors most predominantly so that would be the demographic that we would be seeing most often.”

Ottawa Public Health announced Monday that three children died from influenza-related complications, who were between the ages of five and nine.

The latest Canadian respiratory virus surveillance update showed the amount of influenza tests which came back positive in the first week of December rose to 20.2 per cent from 13.1 per cent the previous week.

At this point last year, the percentage of positive tests for influenza was 3.1 per cent, and 15 per cent the year before that.

Prince Edward Island’s Chief Public Health Office states influenza activity is “increasing rapidly,” with the rates highest among those 5 to 19, following by those 0 to 4 years old.

In both N.B. and N.S., experts say there is an increase in cases among young people, but the predominate demographic they’re seeing who need medical attention are those 65 and older.

Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang says the season is hitting about two to three weeks early, and the peak is expected to last a total of eight to 10 weeks.

“Flu always moves from west to east. And so we’re a little bit behind. But we are starting to see it in the last couple of weeks, a significant increase on influenza activity… it’s usually we start to see that increase late December early January. So we’re seeing it a bit, a bit earlier,” he said.

Anne Marie Picone, executive director of the N.B. Pharmacists’ Association, says it’s not too late to get the flu vaccine, even if it’s not a perfect match.

“Regardless of what they’re hearing, getting any of the respiratory illnesses can be very dangerous. It can make you very, very sick, but it can also lead to other things down the road. It could lead to other what we call comorbidities,” she said. “Despite what they hear with regards to mismatch and that type of thing that’s being reported, you have to realize that there is cross protection still within the vaccine.”

She said last year, uptake of the flu vaccine was very low, likely a result of the pandemic. New Brunswick pharmacists are seeing about a 10 to 15 per cent increase in vaccine rates this year, compared to last.

That tracks with what Nova Scotia’s seeing, says Dr. Strang.

“I think there has been some slipping back. People say, ‘Oh, we’re done with the pandemic. So we’re kind of back to normal,’” he said. “But my hope is that we’ve we learned something from the pandemic and that we tend to be too complacent about respiratory viruses. So, it’s really important that people understand that getting vaccinated against these viruses protects them. But it’s also very important for protecting others around them as well.”

With files from CTV’s Kendra Mangione