3 children died from flu complications this month in Ottawa area: health units

By Canadian Press on December 15, 2025.

Public health says three children have died from influenza-related complications in Ottawa and eastern Ontario over the last two weeks.

Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Health Unit medical officers of health say the children were between the ages of five and nine.

The public health units say there has been a “rapid and significant” rise of Influenza A across Ontario, with much of the flu season still ahead.

The statement says the deaths are a “stark reminder” that the flu can lead to severe illness and that the flu shot is especially important for children, parents and caregivers.

A weekly surveillance report by the Public Health Agency of Canada says 37 people have died from influenza complications since August.

Officials are strongly urging those six months and older to get vaccinated before the holidays, as it takes about two weeks for protection against the flu to fully develop.

PHAC’s latest respiratory surveillance report says there have been 180 pediatric influenza-associated hospitalizations and 24 intensive care admissions since August.

For the week ending Dec. 6, the influenza test positivity rate was 20 per cent, up from 13 per cent the week before.

The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario said early this month that it saw eight times more kids testing positive for influenza in November this year than it did the same month last year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2025.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press