B.C. flu cases 'exceptionally low' this year

As health officials in British Columbia continueto count hundreds of new COVID-19 cases each day, a different respiratory virus is infecting far fewer people this year than normal influenza.

According to Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, the province generally sees between 700-800 influenzacases by this time in the flu season. This year that number is only about seven.

"We are looking for it and we are not seeing a lot ofinfluenza circulating right now," said Henry, adding that the B.C. Centre for Disease Control tracksinfluenza and provides regular updates.

Health Minister Adrian Dix toldreporters on Monday that the good news isn't limited to B.C.

"Based on both national and provincial surveillance, all indicators for influenza activity remain exceptionally low," he said.

There has been more testing this year, according to Dix, but there's no evidence influenza is circulating in the community and no outbreaks have been recorded at long-term care facilities.

The health minister gave an update on influenzavaccinations at the Monday COVID-19 update, saying 2,027,300 doses had been distributed to regional health authorities by the BCCDC, and more shots had been administered this yearcompared to last.

As an example, he said pharmacists had reportedly administered 808,001 doses as of Nov. 23. At the same time last year, pharmacists had administered518,025 doses of the vaccine.

Henry said that part of the reason influenzatransmission has been so low this year is because of all the measures people are taking to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

"It is transmitted in very similar ways, through droplets that we inhale fromsomebody who's been sick," she said.

Henry said it's good to see so many people getting their flu shots, and she hopes the low rate of transmission will continue through the season.