(Lauren Pelley/ CBC News) — Canada is on track to face its first full flu season in several years — one that’s starting earlier than usual, all while the country’s healthcare system is already grappling with respiratory infections like COVID-19 and RSV.
It’s hard to know how the months ahead will play out, including what level of strain serious influenza infections will put on overrun hospitals, and how this year’s slate of viruses will interact now that SARS-CoV-2 is firmly in the mix.
But what’s clear is there’s already a sharp rise in recent infections, and a “tidal wave” of cases is likely on the way, said Dr. Sameer Elsayed, an infectious diseases physician and medical microbiologist in London, Ont., and a professor with Western University.
“We’re going to have a big influenza season, I expect, this year.” (…)