Alberta has recorded its first flu-related death of the current flu season, following a particularly severe flu season last year. The province’s respiratory virus dashboard indicates that a person in their sixties from the central zone succumbed to influenza. In the previous flu season, 237 individuals in Alberta died from the flu, while over 3,700 were hospitalized.
Dr. James Talbot, Alberta’s former chief medical officer of health, mentioned that the timing of the first flu death aligns with typical patterns seen in previous years. Over 100 people have been hospitalized with the flu in Alberta this season, with eight patients receiving intensive care.
Some countries, like the U.K., have already reported a surge in flu cases earlier than usual. Dr. Talbot anticipates a challenging flu season in Canada, potentially straining the healthcare system due to the experience of a severe flu season in the Southern Hemisphere.
Infectious disease experts are cautioning about a potentially tough flu season due to an evolving strain of H3N2 that may not match this year’s flu vaccine perfectly. Dr. Joan Robinson from Stollery Children’s Hospital recommends getting the flu shot despite potential mismatches as it still offers protection against severe illness.
Approximately half a million Albertans have received the flu vaccine this season, representing over 10% of the province’s population. The current positivity rate for influenza in Alberta is higher than the national average, indicating a higher testing rate for flu-like symptoms in the province.
While flu remains a concern, COVID-19 continues to pose greater risks of hospitalization and death. With 36 COVID-19 deaths reported in Alberta this season, health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination against both flu and COVID-19 to protect public health.
Most Albertans are required to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine this year, with exceptions for specific groups. Despite the cost, health experts recommend getting vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu for added protection against respiratory illnesses.