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Canada's ERs Overwhelmed by Intense Flu Surge
10 Jan
Summary
- Influenza activity peaked in mid-December, with flu positivity at 33.3% by late December.
- Hospitals in Canada are experiencing overcrowding due to a rapid spread of influenza.
- Children and adults are suffering from prolonged fevers and severe symptoms.
Emergency departments nationwide are grappling with significant overcrowding, driven by the rapid and intense spread of influenza. For the week ending December 27, 2025, a concerning 33.3% of flu tests returned positive, marking the highest rate observed in the past three seasons. This surge has led to prolonged fevers and severe symptoms for both children and adults across various Canadian provinces, including parts of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island.
The current influenza wave is primarily fueled by the H3N2 subclade, known as K. While the World Health Organization indicates this strain doesn't cause more severe disease, infectious disease experts note a potential mismatch with some components of this year's flu vaccine. Nevertheless, public health officials strongly advise that the vaccine still offers crucial protection against hospitalization and severe illness across all age groups.
Hospitals, such as North York General in Toronto, are reporting that their wards are full due to influenza A admissions, resulting in patients waiting in emergency departments for beds. Similar trends are observed in southwestern Ontario, with pediatric patients showing increased severity of symptoms and longer fever durations. Although recent data suggests a slight decline in flu activity, the impact on healthcare systems remains substantial.
