Flu season not over, officials warn

By Lethbridge Herald on January 14, 2026.

By Joe Manio

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter-Lethbridge Herald

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Vivien Suttorp, announced that the province’s significant wave of influenza A had likely peaked with key indicators such as test positivity, case counts and hospitalizations beginning to decline. 

During a Jan. 13 briefing, Suttorp said the dominant strain circulating during the surge was influenza A H3N2, which officials said was showing a downward trend after weeks of elevated activity.

“Hospital admissions may increase slightly as reporting is finalized, but they are not expected to exceed the level seen during the week of Dec. 21. This is welcome progress but it does not mean the season is over or that we should let our guard down.”

Suttorp cautioned that influenza B was beginning to circulate more widely and was increasing, a pattern typically seen later in the season. She said other respiratory viruses, including RSV and COVID-19, continued to be monitored as health officials track illness levels through the remainder of winter.

“Influenza B often emerges later in the season, and while these waves tend to be smaller and associated with milder outcomes in immunized Albertans, they can still cause significant illness, especially in those who are not protected,” says Suttorp. 

Dr. Suttorp recommended the following measures to continue protecting public health including   staying home when feeling unwell; washing hands frequently; covering coughs and sneezes; and getting vaccinated (as the influenza vaccine still provides valuable protection against severe outcomes).

The season was characterized by an “exceptionally large” wave of the Influenza A H3N2 strain, which tends to be more severe, especially for the elderly and young children.

The high volumes of patients placed “significant pressure on emergency departments” and the overall health-care system, prompting a coordinated response from Acute Care Alberta to manage capacity.

“Over the course of December, influenza A activity rose steeply and placed significant pressure on emergency departments, congregate care sites and care providers across the province,” says Suttorp.

Hospitalizations for all respiratory viruses (influenza, COVID-19, and RSV) peaked on December 31, 2025 with 995 patients.

As of January 13, 2026, there were 706 patients in the hospital with respiratory viruses across Alberta, including 513 with influenza, 118 with COVID-19, and 85 with RSV. 

In the South Zone, specifically, there have been 41 influenza outbreaks and 19 COVID-19 outbreaks in the 2025-2026 season.

Albertans are advised to remain vigilant against influenza and other respiratory viruses from the start of the season in October through the late winter and early spring, as cases can continue to circulate and hospitalizations remain a risk until around April.

“Simple steps like staying home when sick, practising good hand hygiene and keeping vaccinations up to date remain important to protect both individuals and the health-care system,” she said.