Canada’s lack of public data about pediatric flu numbers leaving pediatricians in the dark

At least two children died after contracting influenza in recent weeks but Ottawa hasn’t released any data on how flu season is affecting pediatric patients across the country - a situation clinicians say may be compromising the response to emerging problems. The lack of information appears to be the result of a decision by PHAC to put a new group in charge of collecting pediatric data on severe outcomes for respiratory viruses. A clinical assistant professor of pediatric infectious diseases at UBC says it’s important to know what infections are circulating and which infections are causing more severe illness and hospitalization in children.