Nearly 20 years of data shows flu deaths in Alberta have soared to new heights this year, and health experts are concerned.

According to Alberta’s respiratory virus dashboard, 250 people have died so far this flu season.

The state has warned of changes in how it tracks flu deaths, which represent the highest number reported since at least 2009. When Alberta launched a universal seasonal influenza vaccine program and data became publicly available.

“This is very concerning,” said Craig Jenne, deputy director of the University of Calgary’s Snyder Chronic Disease Research Institute.

“This is the fourth year in a row that a new record has been set, and there is currently no sign that this trend is going to change for the better.”

Population-based mortality rates are also higher than previously recorded.

“This is a huge strain on our health care system here in Alberta, a huge strain on families and, tragically, a loss for Albertans.”

The state said in a statement that it is difficult to determine whether the number of flu deaths is an “all-time high” because out-of-hospital flu deaths were not routinely counted before the 2021-22 season. The 2022-23 season was the first year in which deaths in the region were fully counted.

At the time, local deaths accounted for 16 of the total deaths for that season, compared with less than 10 in each of the previous years, according to data shared by the state in April 2025.

“From a hospital perspective, this has been a really, really bad year for influenza,” said Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious disease physician at the University of Alberta Hospital who has seen many critically ill patients require life support.

“It would be wrong to normalize that there will always be difficulties because influenza is always surging and getting worse. It remains very likely that influenza will be absolutely catastrophic for the delivery of all other treatments,” Saxinger said.

According to Alberta’s respiratory virus dashboard, 12 of the Albertans who have died from influenza this season were between the ages of 20 and 49 (three in their 20s and three in their 30s). The rest were people over 50 years old.

No child deaths have been reported so far this season.

there was There were 3,725 people hospitalized due to influenza and 275 people admitted to ICU.

CBC News requested an interview with Dr. Vivian Satrup, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, but was told she was unavailable.

“Like many jurisdictions in Canada and around the world, Alberta experienced an early and exceptionally large wave of influenza cases,” Tom McMillan, communications director for Alberta Primary and Preventive Health Services, said in an email.

“In Alberta, the waves peaked in late December and dropped about 90 degrees.” [per cent] By mid-January. ”

Alberta’s flu season is primarily driven by the spread of H3N2, a subtype of influenza A.

Influenza B emerged later in the season and is now predominant.

“Influenza is still prevalent, so we encourage all Albertans to continue taking simple precautions to protect themselves and those around them,” McMillan said.

“The influenza vaccine remains freely available and remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of severe disease.”

“Perfect Storm”

Experts say a complex combination of factors is contributing to Alberta’s deadly flu outbreak.

“I think it’s a perfect storm situation,” Saxinger said.

He said the influenza peak was longer than usual, likely due to changes in influenza patterns since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The overall community immunity to all strains is relatively low, which is why we are seeing more severe outbreaks overall since the flu resurgence,” she said.

Vaccination rates are low; Vaccine discrepancy — This may have contributed to the hesitation — That’s also a factor, Saxinger said.

“In a mismatched year, people can still get the flu, but vaccinated people are less likely to have to go to the hospital, end up in the ICU, or worse,” Jenne said.

Vaccination rate is low

Alberta Respiratory Virus Dashboard It shows 20.1 per cent of Albertans have received a flu shot so far this season.

This is slightly below last year’s total and the lowest intake since 2010-2011.

“We know [vaccination] It’s a tool that continues to save lives, and yet our state is not using it to its full potential,” Jenne said.

Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti is calling on the state government to take clear steps to deal with the situation.

“This is not rocket science…even if you get an imperfect vaccine, it will still reduce the severity,” said Francescutti, a professor at the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health and Emergency Medicine.

“What we need is a province that says, ‘Immunization is important. Immunization is proven, effective and safe. We wholeheartedly encourage Albertans to get vaccinated and we’re going to make it easy for you to get vaccinated. We’re not going to stand in your way. We’re not just going to expect you to do it.'”

The Department of Elementary and Preventive Health Services said the statewide campaign promoting free flu shots includes advertising on radio, television, print and social media platforms.

“As part of Budget 2026, we will invest $140 million to further strengthen our immunization efforts next year, increasing outreach and access to better protect Albertans during future respiratory virus seasons,” said Madison McKee, spokesperson for the Minister of Elementary and Preventive Health Services.

budget documents It shows that funding is allocated for routine childhood vaccines and seasonal respiratory virus vaccines.

Mackie point to data It shows Alberta has administered slightly more flu vaccines than at this stage last year.

“This is encouraging, especially given the widely reported concerns that this year’s vaccines are less compatible with the predominant circulating strains. The data does not support any suggestion that this year’s rollout was compromised.”

McKee added that vaccination rates have declined in provinces like Alberta since the pandemic, with vaccination rates historically well below ideal targets.

Influenza vaccination rates reached 37% during the pandemic, according to state data.

“This situation does not diminish the importance of vaccination and shows that coverage has fallen short of ideal levels over the past 20 years,” McKee said.

Jenne said the state needs to start planning for next flu season now.

“We need six or seven months from now to really look at what we can do better, how we can do it better, and make sure we make those changes for next flu season,” he said.

“Otherwise, we expect the state to continue to see record death tolls.”