Flu Season Ahead – What You Need to Know!

During the 2020-2021 flu season, the Public Health Agency of Canada recorded 79 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza, a staggeringly low total compared to the ~54, 000 cases detected the year before. The unusually few cases were likely due to public health measures in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. With less stringent measures in place this year, what can we expect for the upcoming flu season?

Some infectious disease experts are expecting more flu cases this year compared to last year, but also anticipating a milder number of cases compared to pre-pandemic levels. Although it may be too early to know exactly how the flu season will shape up, the flu season in the southern hemisphere (which has already wrapped up) could offer some insight. A very mild flu season was experienced in the southern hemisphere earlier this year, which usually bodes well for the northern hemisphere. Despite this promising outlook, masking and social distancing fatigue could lead to a rise in other seasonal and endemic respiratory viruses, so ensuring we stay current on seasonal and pandemic viruses will remain a top priority.

Up-do-date information on the 2021-2022 influenza season and preventative measures can be found on the Infection Prevention and Control Canada website: https://ipac-canada.org/influenza-resources.php

Let us know a preventative measure you will use this flu season in the comments!

-Karamjeet