Flu season has begun in Quebec, where the number of infections increased rapidly after Christmas. But it is not too late to get vaccinated, doctors argue.
“We see that the flu is coming, family gatherings having served as a catalyst,” underlines the Dr Mathieu Simon, head of intensive care at the University Institute of Pneumology and Cardiology of Quebec (IUCPQ).
Since December 28, the percentage of positive tests for influenza (influenza) in analyzes carried out at the laboratories of the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ) has exceeded 5%.
Flu cases per week
- Week ending December 14: 251
- Week ending December 21: 437
- Week ending December 28: 816
- Week ending January 4: 1310
Source: INSPQ, influenza A + B
“That means that the influenza season is well and truly underway,” says pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, Jesse Papenburg.
The worst to come
The two doctors, however, expect to reach peak flu activity in the second half of January.
“It’s time to get vaccinated, if we want to protect ourselves against the worst of the season,” adds the Dr Papenburg.
He adds that it is mainly the influenza A virus that is circulating at the moment, while the B strain virus usually occurs later in the winter. But the vaccine, offered free of charge to all Quebecers aged six months and over, protects against both sources.
Pharmacist Thina Nguyen, in Repentigny, emphasizes that “latecomers” can still easily obtain a vaccine at the beginning of January, by making an appointment via Clic-Santé.
Pressure emergencies
Already, several emergencies in the province are overflowing, as reported by La journal last week. Montreal hospitals currently have occupancy rates exceeding 200%.
The CISSS des Laurentides even asked the population to avoid emergencies and turn to other options today.
Furthermore, the Dr Simon specifies that Quebecers have nothing to fear from the human metapneumovirus (hMPV), which has raised concerns on social networks with images of overwhelmed hospitals in China.
This virus, which has already been circulating for several years here and elsewhere in the world, is similar to the flu, he says.
