WATCH ABOVE: It’s a deadly milestone that hasn’t been seen in nearly 20 years in Alberta. There have been more than 100 flu-related deaths this season. Jessica Kent explains.
EDMONTON – More than 100 Albertans have died of the flu this season, according to numbers by Alberta Heath Services.
The numbers, released late last week, reveal 103 Albertans have died of lab confirmed influenza this season.
“We have seen more deaths this year than previously,” says Dr. Joanna Oda, a medical officer of health with AHS.
READ MORE: Deaths and hospitalizations due to flu on the rise in Alberta
Oda says there are a couple possible reasons for the increase in deaths, one being that the dominant strain of influenza A that circulated this season was H3N2.
“Years where the dominant strain is H3N2 do tend to hit a bit harder than when other strains circulate. H3 flus tend to target elders, so people over the age of 65, and they tend to be more susceptible to some of the severe outcomes such as death and hospitalization,” says Oda.
The other reason, according to Oda, is that the flu vaccine was less effective this season.
“There was a mutation in the dominant strain and the vaccine was less effective than we hoped.”
READ MORE: Flu vaccine offered little or no protection in Canada this year: study
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Edmonton pharmacist Thomas Schadek says severe flu seasons like this highlight the importance of vaccination.
“You never know when they’re going to come but we’re sort of always on guard for it and that’s why from year to year we’re always really diligent about enforcing that message about getting your flu vaccine done.”
Alberta’s flu-related deaths this season break down by region as follows:
- South Zone: 12
- Calgary Zone: 42
- Central Zone: 11
- Edmonton Zone: 30
- North Zone: 8
In addition, 1,874 Albertans were hospitalized with the bug.
Even though this season’s vaccine was less effective, Oda still encourages everyone to get vaccinated. Oda says AHS is working with its national and international partners to evaluate the effectiveness of this year’s vaccine to make sure it will be better next year.
About 1.25 million Albertans received flu vaccines this season, which is up from previous years.
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