Alberta has recorded its first flu-related death of the current flu season, following a particularly deadly flu season last year. The province’s respiratory virus dashboard indicates that a person in their 60s residing in the central zone succumbed to influenza. In the previous 2024-2025 flu season, Alberta witnessed 237 influenza-related deaths and over 3,700 hospitalizations.
Dr. James Talbot, former chief medical officer of health in Alberta, mentioned that the timing of this season’s first flu death aligns with typical patterns seen in previous years. Over 100 individuals in Alberta have been hospitalized for influenza this season, with eight patients receiving intensive care.
Some nations have reported an early onset of flu season with increased cases, such as the UK, where the National Health Service noted a threefold rise in cases compared to the previous year. Dr. Talbot warned that Canada might experience a severe flu season similar to what was observed in the Southern Hemisphere.
Infectious disease specialists are cautioning about a challenging flu season due to an evolving H3N2 strain that may not match this year’s flu vaccine composition. Dr. Joan Robinson emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated despite potential mismatch, as it can reduce the likelihood of contracting severe influenza.
Around 500,000 Albertans have received the flu shot this season, representing over 10% of the population. The current influenza positivity rate in Alberta exceeds the national average, indicating a higher testing rate for flu-like symptoms in the province.
Dr. Talbot highlighted the ongoing concern of COVID-19, reporting 36 deaths in the province thus far this season. Most Albertans are charged for the COVID-19 vaccine, except for specific groups like healthcare workers and vulnerable individuals. Despite the added cost this year, Talbot emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated for both COVID-19 and the flu for protection against severe illness and potential disruptions.
