‘Get that vaccine’: Early spike in flu pushes cases to more than 1,000 across region

Middlesex-London Health Unit numbers released Tuesday indicate that flu cases this year are many times that of 2025.

Local health officials and the public are surprised by the early arrival of the influenza virus.

Cases of the flu are 10 times the number they were at the end of 2024.

At Forest City Pharmacy in London’s south end, customers are seeking anything to ease flu symptoms, explains pharmacist Marina Barcham.

“They come in with a runny nose, headaches, and feeling very out of it. They’re very tired. They don’t want to get out of bed,” she explained.

The trend is impacting doctors’ offices, walk-in clinics, and local healthcare facilities.

“Influenza activity we’re seeing this year is taking place earlier than it is in most years. And that is what is surprising,” said Dr. Andrew Lam, a senior resident at the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU).

With more than 1,000 cases reported in the last four months of 2025, the MLHU is urging the public to take precautions, even though cases dropped to 143 in the most recent week on record.

Lam says the risk of person-to-person transmission at holiday gatherings was not fully factored into those numbers.

“It’s important to stay vigilant now, and particularly with the increased cases of influenza. And so, for individuals who have not yet received their influenza vaccines, it is strongly recommended that they do get that vaccine,” he said.

Lam acknowledges this current version of the vaccine, produced based on 2024 strains, does not protect against all new sub-variants.

Still, he and other health experts strongly repeat that it is the best option to protect yourself, particularly for seniors, children, and pregnant women.

“It’s a tougher sell in the younger crowd, but once you explain to them the benefits versus the risk, they’re willing to take it,” says Barcham.

Fifteen people in the London region have died from the flu in the last four months. That’s compared to zero fatalities during the same period in 2024.

The early arrival of the virus is to blame, but it is not expected to ease anytime soon.

“We’re expecting the number of cases to continue to be elevated in January,” said Lam.

Barcham added, “Flu season runs until April, so even if it’s the season, it still could happen later on. It’s better to be protected for the entire season. Because you never know what could happen if you could get it in February or March.”