MONTREAL — Quebecers are being hit hard with the flu this year. According to the Quebec Ministry of Health, the province has reached its flu season peak earlier than usual.
The H3N2 virus has spread quickly across Canada and the United States as this year’s flu vaccine has proven to be not as affective in protecting against the H3N2 strain, which may have led to the early peak of the cases.
READ MORE: This year’s flu shot may not be the right match, CDC tells doctors
The Quebec Ministry of Health said that the flu cases grew at a striking rate in the span of three weeks towards the end of 2014. The flu tested positive for eight per cent of the cases the week of November 23, and skyrocketed to 27 per cent the week of December 13.
The eastern region of Quebec has been the most affected, where more than half of the samples tested came back positive.
Marie-Claude Lacasse, a spokesperson for the health ministry, told Global News there has been an increase in demand for services for those who have caught the flu.
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“The level of outbreaks (1833 cases were reported during the week of December 21 to 27) is similar to the situation observed in 2012-2013, when 1,827 cases were detected at the peak of the season,” she said.
“However, the 2014-2015 season seems to have generated more hospitalizations and consultations for flu-like symptoms to Info-Santé, as well as in emergency rooms.”
READ MORE: Nasty flu season strikes as H3N2 cases spike across Canada
According to the Ministry, flu-like cases represented 6.3 per cent of emergency room consultations during the week of December 7. This represents a significant increase compared to the four previous years, where the rates ranged between 4.1 and 5.2 per cent.
Lacasse added that there are numerous unreported cases of the flu; the data given is only an indication of a trend and does not represent the total number of cases.
Harley Eisman, the director of the emergency department of the Montreal Children’s Hospital, also noticed that the flu season peaked earlier this year compared to last.
READ MORE: 5 ways to protect yourself from the flu
He told Global News that Montrealers should wash their hands frequently and use proper etiquette when sneezing and coughing to help prevent the flu from spreading.
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