British Columbia is experiencing a notable rise in respiratory illnesses, particularly influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to recent data from the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). This uptick in cases has been especially pronounced among pediatric patients, leading to increased pressure on hospital emergency departments across the province.
The latest figures reveal that positive tests for RSV have climbed by 0.3 percent from the previous week. Pediatric patients are driving this increase, with respiratory-related visits now accounting for over 37 percent of all pediatric emergency department cases. This marks a more than five percent rise compared to the week prior, highlighting the growing impact of respiratory illnesses on younger populations.
Simultaneously, influenza cases are rising sharply. The data indicates that 11.7 percent of recent tests returned positive for influenza A, which is currently the most prevalent strain this flu season. Positive tests for this strain have risen by 2.5 percent since last week, contributing to the surge in emergency department visits.
As of January 5, over 1.3 million flu vaccines had been administered in the province. Health officials continue to encourage vaccinations, emphasizing that "it's not too late to be vaccinated for influenza and for COVID this winter," as stated by Jennifer Vines, interim medical director for public health response at the BCCDC.
Emergency departments are feeling the strain as respiratory illnesses have been steadily climbing for weeks. Flu seasons typically last until the end of March, suggesting that the current trend may persist for some time. Health authorities are urging individuals to take precautions during this peak season.
"If you're feeling poorly, please stay home, stay away from other people if you can," Vines advised, underscoring the importance of personal responsibility in mitigating the spread of these illnesses.
In contrast, COVID-19 cases have shown a steady decline since early November, with positive tests dropping by 0.3 percent compared to the previous week. This decrease suggests that while COVID-19 remains a concern, it is currently overshadowed by the rising incidences of influenza and RSV.
