Resources on antiviral treatment of influenza-like illness (ILI)

The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in Ottawa continues to rise.

When influenza is circulating in the community, antiviral treatment (with oseltamivir or zanamivir) is recommended for persons with influenza-like illness (ILI) who are:

• severely ill, or
• at increased risk for complications.

Laboratory confirmation of influenza is not needed to begin antiviral treatment.

For those with influenza, treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir shortens the duration of the symptoms and reduces...

Influenza season predicted to peak over the winter holidays (late December 2017 to early January 2018)

Influenza season predicted to peak over the winter holidays

• Current influenza surveillance data, combined with experience from past years, indicates that influenza activity will peak over the winter holiday period (late December-early January).
• Peak influenza activity is typically associated with increased demand for healthcare services.

2017-2018 influenza season to date

• There are 26 cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza so far in Ottawa; 20 (77%) are influenza A (majority A/H3N2) and 6 (23%)...

UPDATE: Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

New cases of MERS-CoV continue to be reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) including human-to-human transmissions in health care and close contact settings.

• Laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV remain primarily in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a few cases reported in nearby countries in the region.
• The Ontario MOHLTC Updated the Guidance for Health Care Workers and Health Sector Employers on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus on October 11, 2017 with:
• A clarified and updated...

Ottawa Public Health’s weekly reports on seasonal influenza

Ottawa Public Health’s weekly flu report is now called the Ottawa Public Health Respiratory and Enteric Surveillance Report and can be found on the Infectious Diseases page.

UPDATE: Avian influenza A(H7N9) virus

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to receive reports of laboratory-confirmed cases of Asian lineage avian influenza A(H7N9) virus from Chinese authorities.

• There are a number of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus strains circulating globally.
• Regarding Asian lineage avian influenza A(H7N9), the WHO has stated that the number of human infections and geographical distribution in the fifth epidemic wave (i.e., onset since October 1, 2016) is greater than in earlier waves.
• While recent...