The 216 pediatric deaths reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eclipse the 207 reported last year and is the most since the 2009-10 swine flu pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 19,000 people have died from the flu so far this winter, including 86 children.

Most provinces and at least one territory report declines in people getting their flu shot compared to last year, with doctors warning of the strain it could pose to hospitals.

So far this winter, 1,998 cases of influenza A have been reported. By this time in the 2023-2024 season, there had been 2723 cases.

As cases of seasonal influenza surge, health officials are closely monitoring a growing threat—the potential fusion of human and bird flu strains.

As of Feb. 1, 21.2 per cent of tests have come back positive for influenza. Since Aug. 25, 2024, a total of 76 influenza-associated deaths were reported in Canada.

Of course, other viral infections can be mistaken for flu. But COVID-19 appears to be on the decline, according to hospital data and to CDC modeling projections.

Sneezing, fever, chills, vomiting, coughing — it’s not just one virus wreaking havoc this winter; it’s a combination of four major illnesses.

New data shared by B.C.’s Centre for Disease Control shows the province has one of the worst flu rates in Canada, as a holiday-season spike in respiratory illnesses continues.

It’s being called ‘the Christmas gift that keeps on giving’ as the number of cases of the flu and other respiratory viruses soar in Alberta.