GTA Flu Season Winding Down, COVID-19 & Antibiotic Use Concerns Rise: Dr. Bogoch
- The winter influenza season in Canada appears to be waning, but health officials caution that an increase in COVID-19 cases is possible as spring approaches.
- Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist, described the recent flu season as “very challenging,” particularly in December, when cases and associated hospitalizations surged.
- Data from the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report, current through February 7, 2026, confirms this trend, indicating that “all indicators of influenza activity continued to decrease” across the...
The winter influenza season in Canada appears to be waning, but health officials caution that an increase in COVID-19 cases is possible as spring approaches. While the flu’s grip is loosening, the potential for a COVID-19 resurgence highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and preventative measures.
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist, described the recent flu season as “very challenging,” particularly in December, when cases and associated hospitalizations surged. However, he noted a significant decline beginning around the new year. “But just around the time of the new year, we started to see cases plummet, they’re continuing to plummet, and I think flu season is not over, but it’s really winding down significantly,” he said on .
Data from the Canadian respiratory virus surveillance report, current through , confirms this trend, indicating that “all indicators of influenza activity continued to decrease” across the country.
This year’s flu season was complicated by the reduced effectiveness of the influenza vaccine. Experts observed that the vaccine provided less protection than in previous years, contributing to the severity of the season. “Experts noticed that the flu vaccine this year was less effective than it has been in the past,” Dr. Bogoch explained, “and that was a significant contributor to this really nasty flu season that we’re working our way out of.”
Potential for COVID-19 Increase
As influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity decline, health officials anticipate a possible rise in COVID-19 cases. This potential increase is linked to the time elapsed since the last widespread COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the fall. “We know it ebbs and flows at various times of the year, and I don’t think anyone would bat an eye if we saw a rise in COVID cases over the course of the spring as flu season and RSV season winds down,” Dr. Bogoch stated.
Health Canada’s current immunization guide recommends annual COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals at higher risk of severe infection. This includes seniors, residents of long-term care facilities, pregnant women, and those with underlying health conditions. For a small subset of severely immunocompromised individuals, more frequent vaccination may be necessary, but consultation with a healthcare provider is crucial to determine the appropriate schedule.
The Role of Antibiotics and Gut Health
With the easing of the acute respiratory virus season, attention is turning to the appropriate use of antibiotics. Dr. Bogoch emphasized the importance of avoiding overuse, citing concerns about antibiotic resistance and the impact on patient health. “We don’t want to overuse antibiotics for multiple reasons. number 1, it’s a precious resource, and if we use it inappropriately, the bacteria become resistant, and this precious resource doesn’t work anymore,” he explained.
Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat, contributing to an estimated four million deaths annually worldwide. Antibiotics kill bacteria indiscriminately, eliminating both harmful and beneficial microbes. This disruption of the gut microbiome can have significant consequences for overall health. “They don’t just take out the bad bacteria, they wipe the floor with many bacteria, including good bacteria,” Dr. Bogoch said. “not just in our gut, but there’s good bacteria elsewhere, in and on our bodies, and we’re, for lack of a better word, nuking them with antibiotics.”
However, Dr. Bogoch stressed that antibiotics remain essential for treating bacterial infections. He suggested that healthcare providers may recommend probiotics or yogurt alongside antibiotic treatment to help restore healthy gut flora. “Other people just simply ingest yogurt,” he said. “It’s cheap, it does the exact same thing, and it can be very helpful, so there’s a few tools that many physicians will use when they’re prescribing antibiotics to restore or help maintain gut health.”
The interplay between respiratory viruses, vaccination strategies, and antibiotic use underscores the complexity of maintaining public health. As Canada transitions from a challenging flu season, continued monitoring of COVID-19 trends and responsible antibiotic stewardship will be critical in protecting the health of the population.