With the spread of influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV / VRS) in Alberta in western Canada, health experts fear that the province's hospitals will overflow with patients by the end of the year. Children will be particularly at risk of contracting the flu.

’’If we base it on what is happening in the eastern part of the country, it is unlikely that we will see a significant decrease in virus transmission before the holidays. And if we continue to gather indoors without wearing masks, the infection transmission will increase,“ said Craig Jin, an assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary.

Professor Jin pointed out that the holiday period is usually a time for gathering and meeting, and thus for the transmission of respiratory viruses. However, this year the spread of these viruses is abnormally high even before families gather.

According to the latest data from the Canadian Public Health Agency, the central and northern regions of Alberta are experiencing a "widespread" level of influenza activity, which is the highest level of transmission.

It is also noted in this context that the number of confirmed influenza cases is the highest since 2009 when Canada was hit by the A (H1N1) influenza pandemic.

Intensive care units at the Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH) in Calgary, the province’s largest city, and Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, the province’s capital, are operating at nearly full capacity.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health in Alberta, Dr. Mark Joffe, who was recently appointed temporarily, sent a message yesterday to school parents about viral respiratory infections.

’’While most children get the flu without complications, a few of them may suffer severe illness and require hospital treatment,“ Dr. Joffe wrote in his message.

He also pointed out that although the H3N2 strain, currently the most widespread in Alberta, is the most likely to cause complications in young children and the elderly, the available annual flu vaccine provides protection against this strain.

Dr. Joffe also added that wearing a protective mask can help reduce the risk of illness and protect others, emphasizing that individuals should be supported regardless of their choice about wearing it.