Flu cases surge in York Region but unrelated to mystery Wuhan virus, health officials say

Flu season is well underway, York Region public health says, but it's not the SARS-like illness

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 20, 2020
Kim Zarzour

York Region hospitals are reporting a surge in influenza-related cases, but the local public health department says residents shouldn't be overly concerned about the recent mystery illness reported in China.

Social media pages have lit up the past week with worried parents wondering about all the sickness lately, and whether there's a chance the Wuhan flu has made its way here.

However, public health officials say we should all breathe easier.

It’s normal this time of year to see an increase in influenza, says Andrea Main, the region’s manager of control of infectious diseases.

The flu season is well underway, says Main, but there's little indication York Region residents, or Canadians for that matter, are at risk of contracting the viral pneumonia hitting headlines on the other side of the world.

On Dec. 31, Chinese health authorities issued a public statement that they had identified a cluster of respiratory illness associated with a local live seafood market, in Wuhan China.

Symptoms include fever and new or worsening cough or shortness of breath.

The seafood market was closed Jan. 1.

Nine days later, Chinese authorities reported the cluster likely came from a novel coronavirus from an animal source.

The coronavirus was diagnosed in 41 cases and in most cases, patients either worked at or frequently visited the seafood market.

Two deaths have since been linked to the cluster.

No suspected cases have occurred in Canada, Main said.

The difference between this illness outbreak and the SARS outbreak of 2003 is the speed with which China has responded, quickly identifying the virus and taking rapid measures to contain it, said Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam.

“Importantly, based on information received from public health authorities, there is no clear evidence that the virus passes easily between people, although experts and officials are continuing to investigate,” said a statement released by York Region Public Health.

While the local risk remains low, York Region public health is closely monitoring the Wuhan outbreak and is receiving regular updates from the Ministry of Health, the statement said.

Travellers are advised to avoid live animal markets or farms, to take general health precautions while travelling, and to let their doctor know if they become sick while abroad.

The viral pneumonia outbreak in China is a different disease from influenza, Main said, and it isn't connected to the increase in flu cases currently being reported in York Region -- although the symptoms are similar: fever, cough and respiratory symptoms.

As of Jan. 15, the region has 504 lab-confirmed cases of influenza. Those are just the cases that have been tested, Main said.

While it's too early to tell if it has peaked, health officials expect the flu season to spike sometime between late December and early February.

Across Canada, the most commonly circulating strain is Influenza A H3N2, but Canada’s public health agency is also reporting an unusual rise in Influenza B cases -- with pediatric hospitalizations higher than in the previous five seasons.

The B strain -- which usually doesn't spike until February -- impacts young children more severely, Tam said. A and B strains don't differ in terms of symptoms, prevention or treatment.

Aurora mom Christine DeForest is concerned about the spike.

“I have a weakened immune system, so it's scaring the crap out of me sending my kids to school,” she said.

“I just hope people will keep their kids home and stay home from work if they show symptoms of this flu. Their family members may be able to fight it off, but lots of kids at school have asthma and other ailments that can make it much more severe for them. Kids also bring the germs home where people with weakened immune systems live and can't fight it off.”

The best protection against the flu remains immunization, Main said.

It’s not too late, she said, and it takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to fully protect you.

Exact estimates of how effective this year’s flu shot has been won’t be known until March, she added.

So far it appears it was not a perfect match for one of the strains, but a better match for the other two circulating strains.

PROTECT YOURSELF

• Wash your hands well, and often, with soap and warm water. If unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Don’t forget to clean under your fingernails, and wash your wrists and between your fingers.

• Cough or sneeze into the corner of your elbow/sleeve or cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, then throw the tissue out immediately. (Wash your hands afterwards.)

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Avoid large crowds and, whenever possible, stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading your illness.
• Clean and disinfect common surfaces and items.