Canada is experiencing a significant increase in flu cases, particularly among children, leading to a surge in emergency visits at pediatric hospitals. CHEO, the children's hospital in Ottawa, reported that eight times more children tested positive for influenza in November 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. Additionally, the number of children hospitalized due to the flu doubled during this period.

Angela Crawley, a senior scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, noted that flu symptoms can include severe fever and difficulty breathing. Most of the children treated at CHEO had not received their annual flu vaccine. The hospital is urging families to get vaccinated to protect vulnerable populations, especially children under five who are at higher risk due to their smaller airways and weaker immune systems.

CHEO's emergency department faced unprecedented demand, with nearly 300 young patients visiting in a single day, a 20% increase from the previous year. Karen Macauley, CHEO’s vice-president of acute care services, stated that the hospital is already feeling the strain on its capacity and is utilizing overflow spaces for patient care. Public health officials predict that the flu season will peak in late December, suggesting that more cases are likely to emerge in the coming weeks.

Other pediatric hospitals in Ontario and Quebec are experiencing similar trends. Dr. Harley Eisman, medical director of pediatric emergency medicine at the Montreal Children's Hospital, reported that their emergency department, which was relatively quiet until mid-November, is now seeing over 200 patients daily. Many of these patients are testing positive for influenza A.

Dr. Anne Wormsbecker, chief of pediatrics at the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Just for Kids Clinic in Toronto, noted an increase in children presenting with flu-like symptoms, including runny noses, coughs, prolonged fevers, and gastrointestinal issues. She emphasized the importance of booking flu vaccine appointments for families ahead of the winter holidays.

Nationally, positive tests for influenza A at pediatric hospitals rose by 8% from mid to late November, with the flu becoming more prevalent among children and teens compared to other respiratory illnesses. The H3N2 strain of influenza A, which is linked to higher hospitalization rates, is currently the most reported subtype in Canada. Despite concerns about a potential mismatch between this year's vaccine and the circulating strain, experts maintain that vaccination is crucial for preventing severe illness.

Dr. Srinivas Murthy, a pediatric intensive care physician at B.C. Children's Hospital, highlighted that even with a slight mismatch, the vaccine still provides significant protection against serious illness. He cautioned that as flu cases rise in one region, other areas are likely to see similar increases in the coming weeks.

Health officials across the Northern Hemisphere are preparing for a challenging flu season, with reports of rising cases in the U.K. and the U.S. as well. Experts are closely monitoring the situation as the flu season progresses, emphasizing the importance of vaccination to mitigate the impact on public health.