31 Albertans have died of flu this season

Alberta’s flu-related death toll has risen to 31 this season, including 10 deaths in the Edmonton region and 16 in Calgary, according to new statistics released Thursday by Alberta Health Services.

The latest update, the first in three weeks, indicates the virus’s presence has picked up across the province since the start of the Christmas holidays.

At the time of the previous update on Dec. 21, AHS had reported 19 deaths where influenza was a contributing factor, including four in the Edmonton region and 12 in the Calgary zone.

Though reports from other jurisdictions have indicated this flu season could be one of the worst in years, AHS said it is still too early to speculate on what’s in store for Alberta.

“It’s just unpredictable. We don’t know how this will trend, if it keeps going upward or if it tapers off,” said Dr. Shobhit Maruti, medical officer of health for the Edmonton zone.

“At this time of year, it’s not unusual to see a bump. It’s cold outside and with a lot of people indoors, be it in buses or trains or offices and bundled together, it’s more likely to be transmitted.”

At the same point last year, AHS had reported 17 flu-related deaths in the province, en route to an endof-season total of 64.

The 2014-15 season was one of the deadliest on record in Alberta, with more than 100 deaths linked to influenza.

The latest AHS statistics show 1,570 Albertans with the flu have been hospitalized this season, up substantially from 867 reported at the time of the last update three weeks ago.

The Calgary region continues to lead the way with 762 hospitalizations, while the Edmonton region has recorded 478.

AHS said there have been 186 influenza outbreaks at health facilities, continuing care centres and other locations so far in Alberta this season, including 52 in the Edmonton zone.

A total of 1.17 million Albertans have received the flu shot, which is slightly ahead of last’s year’s total, but still well short of exhausting the province’s supply of 1.6 million doses.

Maruti said the shot is still available free of charge to any Albertan at least six months old.

Asked what percentage of Alberta’s flu victims had received the vaccine this season, AHS said it could not provide an answer due to the need to protect privacy.