Flu and gastro cases rising in Quebec as holidays approach
Posted December 13, 2025 9:17 am.
Last Updated December 13, 2025 3:53 pm.
Hospitals across Quebec are seeing a surge in influenza and gastroenteritis cases as the holiday season approaches, raising concerns for families and health officials alike.
Early flu season mirrors global trends
Dr. Earl Rubin, division director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the Montreal Children’s Hospital of the MUHC, said the rise in cases is not unique to Quebec.
“That’s not confined to Montreal nor Quebec. We’ve seen earlier in the year there was an earlier increase in influenza cases in the UK. They saw more severe cases in Australia during their winter season. And what we’re seeing here and across Canada is the same thing, that we are seeing increasing numbers and earlier than what we usually see,” Rubin said, noting that the overall positivity rate for influenza tests is rising rapidly.
Experts point to several factors driving the early surge. The H3N2 strain of influenza has mutated, reducing vaccine effectiveness, and a colder-than-usual start to winter has more people gathering indoors, which increases virus transmission.
Holiday gatherings could accelerate spread
Rubin said that as families gather for the holidays, the risk of virus transmission is heightened.
“That’s the same repeated theme year after year. We certainly heard a lot about it with COVID, where they wanted to decrease gatherings that were not or even prohibit gatherings. But we are thankfully over that COVID and we’re back to our usual of, yes, unfortunately, gatherings in closed spaces indoors will just permit the ongoing spread of the virus,” he explained.
He urged people to consider vulnerable family members, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or elderly relatives with other health conditions, and suggested that anyone with symptoms stay home to protect loved ones.
Recognizing symptoms and preventive measures
Dr. Rubin said flu often begins with fever and muscle aches, followed by respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny or blocked nose, and difficulty breathing. Gastroenteritis can cause fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
“People just have to use their judgment. And if they are gathering, probably the most important thing to do is excellent hand washing with soap and water. And if we’re talking about gastrointestinal viruses, to consider wearing a mask if they have respiratory symptoms,” he said.
He also recommended that people who have not yet received a flu shot still consider vaccination, even though the match this year is not perfect, as it can help reduce the severity of illness.
Impact on hospitals
Quebec’s emergency rooms are already crowded as the viral surge continues. According to IndexSanté, as of early December there were nearly 4,000 people in emergency departments across the province, with 893 waiting to see a doctor. Average waiting times were 4 hours and 45 minutes in waiting rooms, and 18 hours and 27 minutes for patients on stretchers. Stretchers were occupied at 126 per cent capacity, with 643 patients waiting over 24 hours.
Rubin encouraged families to seek alternatives to emergency rooms when possible, including contacting family doctors, calling 8-1-1, or using walk-in clinics, to help reduce overcrowding.
“I would encourage people to help offload the numbers that we’re seeing coming to the emergency room by looking for other resources to help them.”
Children and daycare settings
Daycares are a particular concern, as sick children can easily spread viruses to others. Rubin said each daycare has its own rules for when children should stay home, and parents should follow them carefully. “There are a lot of things to take into consideration, but it would really be the rules and regulations from the individual daycares of what they allow. People should be honest with the daycares and explain what’s going on,” he said.
Regular cleaning of surfaces and toys is also key. For gastroenteritis, soap and water are most effective, while alcohol-based hand sanitizers help prevent respiratory virus transmission. Chlorine-based surface cleaners are recommended for high-touch areas.
Current virus statistics
The Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) reports that as of the week ending Dec. 6, 2025, there were 1,650 confirmed influenza A cases in Quebec, 15 influenza B cases, and additional cases of parainfluenza, RSV, adenovirus, metapneumovirus, enterovirus/rhinovirus, and SARS-CoV-2.
With flu and gastro cases already rising, public health officials are urging caution and vigilance as families gather for the holiday season. Simple measures such as hand washing, staying home when sick, and vaccination where possible remain the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness.
