Health officials warn of surge of deadly flu virus in largely unvaccinated Saskatchewan

Flu cases in Saskatchewan are on the rise with the deadly influenza A strain hitting children and the elderly especially hard, and much of the province unvaccinated against the virus.

“We are seeing a ton of influenza A in terms of test positivity. I ran down this morning just to check and we’ve got a whole list of positives that we’re reporting today from our first run this morning,” said Joseph Blondeau, head of clinical microbiology at Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital and provincial lead for clinical microbiology with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

The most recent numbers from the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s community respiratory illness surveillance program show influenza rates growing weekly, along with hospitalizations due to the virus.

Influenza A dominated the “unusually long” flu season in some countries in the southern hemisphere during its winter — which offers a preview of what North America will face — and is being blamed for the deaths of three children in Ontario earlier this month.

“It is a deadly virus … and it can be deadly across all age groups, as sadly we’ve learned about with those children from Ontario,” Blondeau said.

A recent surge in flu cases caused the chief and council of the Beardy’s & Okemasis Cree Nation (BOCN), about 80 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon, to cancel all community dinners during the holidays, in an effort to stop more people from getting sick.

WATCH | Sask. hit hard by influenza as data shows 80% unvaccinated:

Saskatchewan hit hard by influenza as data shows 80% unvaccinated

A recent surge in flu cases has prompted one Saskatchewan community to cancel all Christmas celebrations until the new year. The Saskatchewan Health Authority says school absenteeism is also increasing across all school divisions.

“Leadership is aware of multiple hospitalizations and the loss of a BOCN matriarch related to the virus,” the council stated in a Facebook post.

Chief Edwin Ananas told CBC in an emailed statement that the First Nation made the difficult decision to cancel all community functions until the new year, when they hope the worst of the flu season has passed.

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“BOCN has not enacted formal public health measures but will continue protecting vulnerable community members during this challenging flu season,” he said.

Blondeau said there’s been a big spike in flu positivity tests in the past four weeks nationally, and about 38 per cent of those cases are in youth under the age of 19.

“We’re in the thick of influenza A right now and if you’re not immunized, you really should be considering making an appointment and going out and getting your immunization.”

Low uptake on flu vaccinations

According to the latest CRISP report, which covered the week ending Nov. 29, only 20 per cent of Saskatchewan residents got their seasonal flu vaccine this year.

Dr. Simon Kapaj, an SHA medical health officer based in Saskatoon, said many families are hesitant to get vaccinated and “also the pandemic experience as well has had its own consequences,” in vaccine fatigue.

Kapaj said Saskatchewan is just at the start of its flu season, but already schools across the province are seeing an increase in absenteeism due to illness.

“We are concerned,” Kapaj said. “The reason is the clinical presentation of infections with this type of influenza leads to serious complications, especially for children and elderly as well.”

Claude-Jean Harel, speaking on behalf of Saskatchewan’s francophone school board, Conseil des écoles fransaskoises, said there have been several confirmed influenza cases in its schools.

“CÉF is aware of the situation and has implemented appropriate measures, including advising students to stay home if they are unwell,” Harel said.

Kapaj said the province will have a better idea about influenza rates later this week.

Meanwhile, he said people should wash their hands, stay home when sick and use a mask if they are coughing and need to go out in public.

But Kapaj said a flu vaccination is the best defense against influenza’s worst symptoms, something Blondeau agreed with.

“When I see low vaccination numbers and then you see people showing up at the hospital, you know, with severe disease, some of which may not survive it, that’s a bit heartbreaking, especially for something that could be preventable,” Blondeau said.