‘Unusual’ flu season sees jump in cases in May from lifting of COVID-19 measures – CBC
Nearly a quarter of the season’s cases have occurred this month, statistics show
May 18, 2022
New Brunswick is dealing with an unusually late flu season, due in part to the lifting of COVID-19 protective measures in March, such as masking, says the province’s acting deputy chief medical officer of health.
Normally, the flu season really starts to “take off” in January and “peters out” once the warmer weather begins, said Dr. Yves Léger.
But nearly a quarter of this season’s cases have occurred this month, new statistics released by Public Health show.
There were nine cases of influenza reported during Week 18, which was May 1 to 7, the most recent statistics available. Two cases required hospitalization.
A total of 40 cases have been documented so far this season, which began Aug. 29, 2021 and continues until Aug. 27.
“So to have it start now is a bit, you know, unusual, from the trend that we’ve seen before, but would be explained by the lifting of the measures,” said Léger.
