Wake Up GTA: There’s A New Flu Strain At The Door
Public Health Ontario (PHO) is alerting all Ontarians and Canadians that the forthcoming flu season could be more severe than expected due to increased resistance to vaccines and medications. This situation may stem from a new flu strain that Canadians have not encountered before.
To support this warning, PHO has noted a sudden 1.8% increase in influenza cases in Ontario during the last week of October. This spike includes three separate outbreaks, resulting in 129 reported cases and 14 hospitalisations across the province.
PHO predicts that flu activity could worsen between November 2 and 15, with the most significant impact expected to affect children the most. This concern is underscored by a 2% increase in patients testing positive for the new strain in the first week of November. Although this figure is below the five per cent threshold needed to declare an “epidemic,” it indicates that PHO’s warning may be valid, and numbers could rise further in the upcoming weeks.
Some provincial health experts suspect that this new strain may be similar to one currently spreading in the southern hemisphere, particularly in Australia, which reported a ninefold increase (8,159 cases) in infections as of May 2025. However, there is no solid scientific or epidemiological evidence to support this claim.
Another area of concern is a new and evolving H3N2 strain that has been identified in some cases in Ontario. This strain is troublesome because it tends to mutate frequently, making it more challenging for the immune system to respond effectively. Compounding the issue, the flu vaccine currently in use in Canada may not be effective against the H3N2 strain.
Several factors could contribute to a challenging flu season, including:
– The H3N2 strain disproportionately affects seniors, infants, and immunocompromised individuals.
– A decline in flu vaccine uptake, with fewer Canadians getting vaccinated compared to previous years, increasing susceptibility to infection.
– A higher likelihood of outbreaks and hospitalisations, particularly among children.
Doctors’ Advice: Despite the possible mismatch between the H3N2 strain and the flu vaccine, it is still advisable to get vaccinated rather than risking your health.
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