Number of flu cases on the rise in south zone

By Lethbridge Herald on December 13, 2025.

Southern Alberta Newspapers

As influenza season comes into full swing over the holidays, Albertans are encouraged to keep themselves safe and get immunized.The latest data available from the province’s respiratory virus dashboard is updated to include information as recent as Dec. 6. 

In the week of Nov. 30 to Dec. 6, there were 1,527 confirmed influenza cases, 216 hospitalizations, 18 ICU admissions and one death. 

The dashboard states that the reporting season begins in late August. Thus far, there have been 3,703 cases, 802 hospitalizations, 54 ICU admissions and 21 deaths.

A total of 114 cases have been confirmed in the South zone since the beginning of the period, including 58 hospitalizations, 10 ICU admissions and three deaths. 

While vaccine effectiveness varies from year to year, vaccines are still the best protection from severe illness, said the province on the Alberta website. 

The influenza vaccine is available free of charge and is especially important for seniors, pregnant women, young children, First Nations, Métis and Inuit individuals, and people with chronic health conditions. These groups have the highest risk of severe complications. 

It is also important for people in direct contact with poultry potentially infected with avian influenza during culling operations.

Residents are asked to stay home when they are feeling sick, disinfect frequently touched surfaces, wash their hands frequently and consider wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces to help reduce the risk of becoming sick and to help protect others from being exposed.