Quebec is experiencing a surge in flu cases ahead of the peak flu season, leading to overcrowded emergency rooms in various regions including the greater Montreal area, Centre-du-Québec, and the Capitale-Nationale. Dr. Antonio D’Angelo, chief medical officer at CHU Sainte-Justine in Montreal, anticipates a peak in infections around Dec. 25-26, coinciding with reduced staffing levels in the health network.
This year, the flu season started earlier than usual, exacerbating the already busy period, according to Dr. D’Angelo. Dr. Gilbert Boucher, president of the Association des spécialistes en médecine d’urgence du Québec, highlighted that almost 20% of ER patients currently leave without being seen by a doctor.
Dr. Boucher advised infected individuals to refrain from visiting vulnerable groups like the elderly during the holiday season. Quebec’s Laboratoire de santé publique reported approximately 3,500 influenza cases in the province, with a high positivity rate of 26% for influenza A (H3N2 strain) tests in the general population.
The flu is notably affecting children aged 5-17, with parents often opting for emergency room visits over consulting a doctor or allowing their children to recuperate at home. Dr. Judy Morris from the Association des médecins d’urgence du Québec pointed out that this year’s flu situation is compounded by many sick parents, adding to the strain.
Moreover, there have been eight confirmed cases of measles in Quebec, including two at CHU Sainte-Justine, raising concerns about potential contagion in hospital waiting areas. Older adults, in particular, are experiencing severe flu symptoms, prompting a significant number to seek medical care, noted Dr. Élyse Berger Pelletier from Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis.
To curb the flu spread during the holidays, health authorities recommend monitoring symptoms before attending gatherings, utilizing clinics for medical consultations, or contacting 811 for nurse advice. Dr. Caroline Quach emphasized seeking medical attention if a fever subsides and returns after a few days, indicating possible bacterial superinfection.
Nationwide, positive flu tests reached 27.7% last week, nearing the highest level in three seasons, as highlighted by Health Canada. Concerns about low vaccination coverage in provinces like British Columbia and Saskatchewan persist, underscoring the importance of flu vaccines in preventing complications, especially among high-risk populations. Only the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Newfoundland and Labrador have been spared from the flu surge.