Toronto Beware: This Is No Ordinary Flu!
Every flu season presents unique challenges, and this year is no exception. Flu viruses evolve or mutate over time, which can change their characteristics, such as how easily they spread, their severity, and their resistance to treatments.
According to the World Health Organization, the dominant flu strain currently observed in Canada is influenza A(H3N2), specifically the subvariant A(H3N2) subclade K.
What is H3N2? It is a non-human influenza virus that typically circulates in pigs. When such viruses infect humans, they are called “variant” viruses. The H3N2 virus was first identified in pigs in 2010 and subsequently detected in humans in 2011.
What is Subclade K? This term denotes a newly mutated strain of the H3N2 influenza A subtype, known as H3N2 subclade K. This variant has emerged due to several key mutations that enable it to evade the immune system and current flu vaccines, potentially making it more dangerous than previous strains.
In the first week of December alone, Canada recorded 6,799 flu cases and 91 outbreaks, with a 20.2 per cent increase in positive tests compared to the previous week.
Children are among the most affected, with the highest number of infections detected among individuals under 19, according to Health Canada. In Ottawa, three children aged five to nine have died from influenza A-related complications, prompting health officials to urge anyone over six months old to get vaccinated.
In November, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario reported that eight times as many children tested positive for influenza as in the same month last year, and twice as many were hospitalized due to the flu.
The situation is complicated by the onset of the holiday season, which typically involves more travel and social gatherings.
Symptoms, Transmission, and Risk Factors
Flu symptoms include a high fever, chills, persistent cough, sore throat, and significant body aches. Patients may also experience headaches and profound fatigue that can last for several days.
The virus spreads primarily through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can be inhaled directly or transferred from contaminated surfaces to the mouth, nose, or eyes. Symptoms usually appear one to four days after exposure.
Who Is Most Vulnerable?
Certain groups of individuals are at a higher risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, or life-threatening complications. This includes young children, adults over 65, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems. While most healthy individuals recover quickly, these vulnerable populations are more susceptible to complications like pneumonia.
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