New Brunwick braces for flu season

New Brunswickers should prepare themselves for a potentially worse flu season this fall, health officials advise.

That includesgetting the flu shot, which is expected to be available within the coming weeks.

"We know that there [has]been little influenza over the past two seasons, but we can expect more flu this year," said Dr. Arifur Rahman, the province's acting deputy chief medical officer of health.

With fewer people opting to get a flu vaccineover the past two years because of a lull in influenza cases, and the end last spring of COVID-19protective measures, such as masking and physical distancing,more people are at a heightenedrisk of getting the flu, according to experts.

Australia's 2022 influenza season also offers some clues of what could be in store in New Brunswick. The flu hits Australia first and infections there werehigher than the five-year average with infections notably spiking, then dropping, earlier than usual.

Australia's flu surgealso coincided with the country'sfirst big COVID-19 surge of the pandemic, dubbed a "twindemic."

The potential for such a dual surge could put even more pressure on New Brunswick hospitals, which are already struggling with staffing shortages.

400 cases reported over summer

New Brunswickhas already seen an unusual resurgence of the flu, with about 400 cases documented over the summer.

Normally, the flu season really starts to "take off"in January and "peters out" once the warmer weather begins, Dr. Yves Lger,the acting deputy chief medical officer of health, told CBC News in May.

At that time, a total of 40 cases had been documented during the season,which began Aug. 29, 2021.

As of Aug. 27, the end of the 2021-22 season, the number of reported cases jumped to442179 influenza A(H3), 262 influenza A (unsubtyped) and one influenza B, the latest statistics released by Public Health show.

Ninety-two people were hospitalized during the season and fivedied.

In 2020-21,only one flu case was reported across New Brunswick, withno hospitalizations and no deaths.

By comparison, in 2019-20, at the beginning of the pandemic, there were 2,351 cases provincewide. And in 2018-19, pre-pandemic,3,008.

Theinfluenza-like consultation rate was "higher than expected" during the final two weeks of the 2021-22 season, at 64.9 per 1,000 visitsand 46.5 per 1,000 visits respectively, according to theprovince's latestinfluenza report.

Five influenza outbreaks have been reported in nursing homes since the beginning of the 2021-22 season, the report states.

The numbers are all likely underreported,officials have said. Although influenza is a reportable disease in New Brunswick, not everyone who gets sick would necessarily go to the doctor and get tested.

"As we know,seasonal influenza can have serious health impacts, said Rahman. "So this is a good time now for a good reminder that vaccination for influenza is available," he said.

"AllNew Brunswickers should get a flu vaccine to protect themselves, and the people surrounding them."

Anyone aged six months and older is eligible for the flu shot.

The 2022-23 seasonal influenza vaccine campaign will be offeredthroughprimary care providers, Public Health nurses, New Brunswick extramural program health professionals and pharmacists.

It can take up to two weeks before the vaccine provides protection against the flu.