Flu: the worst would be past

News 20 March, 2018
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    Hugo Duchaine

    Tuesday, march 20, 2018 10:55

    UPDATE
    Tuesday, march 20, 2018 10:55

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    After one of the worst winters ever seen in Quebec, the peak of the flu is finally behind us, ensures the ministry of Health in its most recent balance sheet.

    The influenza virus is declining in the province over the last three weeks, but it will have to wait at least until Easter for that influenza activity reaches a low level, warns against by the MSSS.

    “The influenza season 2017-2018 is particularly intense because of a co-circulation of influenza A and B. flu B, in addition to have been much earlier than in previous years, has been one of the most important ever observed in Québec”, in the last newsletter Flash flu.

    The virus of type B influenza was identified in nearly 18 analysed samples, while a peak of 10% to 12% was generally observed in previous years.

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    The MINISTRY also stresses that the flu has led to a number of calls “significantly higher this season,” with Info-Santé.

    In addition, up to 7% of consultations to the emergency this winter had the flu as a reason, which is also more than in the past. Nearly two times more patients left the emergency room with a diagnosis of influenza than in years past.

    “Since the first week of January, where nearly 12% of admissions in a hospital, involved patients who received a diagnosis of influenza or pneumonia, the proportion has remained relatively stable and has remained close to 10%, which is rare, even at the peak of the epidemic,” remarks by the MSSS.