Influenza confirmed alongside rising COVID-19 activity

The 2024–2025 season’s first four confirmed infections of influenza virus have been reported within Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ service area. Last year saw an early beginning to the influenza season. While it is too early to know if this year’s influenza season is starting early, these four infections are a concerning sign that this might be the case.

The start of influenza activity coincides with increased transmission of COVID-19 over the past few weeks. COVID-19 case activity increased to “high” on the Respiratory Illness Surveillance Dashboard last week.

Area residents are reminded to protect themselves and others from respiratory infections by implementing simple and effective protective measures.

“With respiratory virus activity increasing, precautions such as masking in public spaces, avoiding others when sick, and practising respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene will protect yourself, but more importantly protect loved ones, co-workers, and the community who may be more vulnerable,” said Christina Baier, a manager in Public Health’s Health Protection Division. “In the coming weeks, the annual flu vaccine and updated COVID-19 vaccine will become available, and we strongly recommend everyone get these as soon as possible.”

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can frequently cause fever, cough, muscle aches, and fatigue; children may also get stomach upset. However, in those who are more vulnerable, severe illness such as pneumonia is possible, and sadly several thousand Canadians die of influenza each year. Young children, the elderly, and those with underlying medical conditions are at greatest risk of developing more severe illness.

The below precautions are always encouraged to protect yourself and others from infection:

• Wear a well-fitted mask in crowded indoor public settings.
• Improve the ventilation in indoor spaces by keeping windows open, when possible, and having heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems set to “on” rather than “auto”.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and discard used tissues immediately in the garbage, and then wash your hands.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 15 seconds.

Many viruses cause respiratory infections. It can be difficult to know which illness you have based on symptoms. Regardless of the cause of the infection, if you have symptoms, please take the following measures to protect those around you:

• Stay home (self-isolate) until you have no fever, your symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea), and you do not develop any additional symptoms.
• Wear a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in all public settings once out of self-isolation and until 10 full days following the start of your symptoms. This is in addition to following any other precautions.
• Use the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 self-assessment and learn more about testing and treatment (if eligible).

Public Health provides information about local activity levels of respiratory illness, including COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Public Health also reports data for active outbreaks in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts. This information is specific to hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes, and congregate living settings.

For more information about respiratory illnesses (such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV) and vaccination opportunities, please visit phsd.ca or call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).