2025-12-15 from ctvnews.ca

Three children have died from flu related complications in the Ottawa area, as officials report a “rapid and significant rise” in influenza A in the region.

The regional medical officers of health issued a statement Monday morning, saying three children between the ages of five and nine have died from influenza A-related complications in the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario Health Unit regions in the first two weeks of December.

Last week, CHEO president and CEO Dr. Vera Etches said “the early and intense start to flu season” has led to “unprecedented volumes” in the hospital’s emergency department. In a letter to physicians, Etches asked local physicians to work in the CHEO’s Kids Come First Care Clinic.

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