Flu kills 9 more New Brunswickers in one week - Action News
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New Brunswick

Flu kills 9 more New Brunswickers in one week

The flu has killed nine more New Brunswickers, raising the total number of deaths this season to 39,the latest weekly figures from Public Health show.

134 people hospitalized Dec. 11-17, along with 711 new lab-confirmed cases, latest report shows

Influenza has hit earlier and harder across New Brunswick and the rest of the country this season. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID))

The flu has killed nine more New Brunswickers, raising the total number of deaths this season to 39,the latest weekly figures from Public Health show.

No details about the individuals, such as their ages or any underlying health conditions, areprovided in the influenza surveillance report.

CBC has requested more information from the Department of Health and is awaiting a response.

There were also 134 people hospitalized between Dec. 11 and Dec. 17, down from the previous week's record-high 146. That brings the total number of hospitalizations since the 2022-23 flu season began on Aug. 28 to704.

By comparison, New Brunswick had five flu deaths and 92 hospitalizations all of last season.

A total of 711 lab-confirmed cases of the flu were reported during the week in question, with apositivity rate of23 per cent.

A map of New Brunswick, divided by health zone, with all zones shaded the same colour of blue.
All health zones have 'localized' flu activity, as of Dec. 17, according to the influenza report. (Government of New Brunswick)

The actual number of flu cases in the province is likely much higher since most people don't get tested for the flu. They simply stay home.

Since the beginning of the season, 3,538 confirmed cases have been reported across the province 118 influenza A(H3) viruses, 3,419 influenza A (unsubtyped) and one influenza B.

The regional breakdown of the new cases is:

  • Moncton region, Zone 1 177.
  • Saint John region, Zone 2 90.
  • Fredericton region, Zone 3 122.
  • Edmundston region, Zone 4 87.
  • Campbellton region, Zone 5 37.
  • Bathurst region, Zone 6 154.
  • Miramichi region, Zone 7 44.

There is now "localized activity" the second-highest level in every health zone, according to the report. Localized activity is defined as "evidence of increased [influenza-like illness]with lab-confirmed influenza detection(s) and outbreaks in schools, hospitals, residential institutions and/or other types of facilities occurring in less than 50 per cent of the influenza surveillance region."

A chart showing the number of flu outbreaks in nursing homes and influenza-like outbreaks in schools, using line and bar graphs in different colours.
The number of influenza outbreaks in nursing homes and hospitals by week this season is illustrated in yellow, compared to the average number in previous non-pandemic seasons illustrated in green. Influenza-like outbreaks in schools this season are in orange, compared to the previous average, in purple. (Government of New Brunswick)

Four nursing homes have been hit with lab-confirmed flu outbreaks two in the Fredericton region and two in the Bathurst region.

There was also alab-confirmed outbreak in one "other" setting, according to the report.

"Other representsone of the following: correctional facilities, special care homes, seniors residences, adult residential facilities, assisted living or hospice settings," Department of Health spokesperson Adam Bowie said in an email.

The number of influenza-like illness outbreaks at schools continues to decrease, with 12 outbreaks reported during the week in question, compared to 24 the previous week and 63 the week before that.

These outbreaks, which are based on absence rates of greater than 10 per cent because ofinfluenza-like symptoms, should be "interpreted with caution," the report notes. The number "might be misrepresented due to the ongoing circulation of COVID-19, since distinction between influenza-like-illness and COVID-like illness is not always evident."

So far this season, 27 fluoutbreaks in nursing homes and "other" settings have been reported, and 206 influenza-like outbreaks in schools.

As of Dec. 12, a total of 196,976 influenza vaccines had been administered, about 10 per cent fewer than the same time in 2021, but immunizations began a week earlier last season and changes to the reporting process may have contributed to a lag in the data, the Department of Health has said. (David Bajer/CBC)

The flu shotis recommended for all New Brunswickers aged six months and older, with a higher dose available for those 65 or older.

The seasonal influenza vaccine is available free of charge through a variety of immunization providers, including participatingpharmaciesandPublic Health clinics.