SASKATCHEWAN — The province is moving out of its peak respiratory illness season, with health officials reporting a gradual decline as spring approaches.
“We’re at the tail end of our respiratory season,” said Saskatchewan's Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab. “We still have some influenza and a variety of respiratory viruses going around, but COVID rates are pretty low and RSV is also low.”
That shift follows a familiar seasonal pattern. Illnesses rise through winter as people gather indoors, then begin to drop as warmer weather arrives.
This year, Shahab described the season as relatively typical.
“A lot of people were surprised by influenza this year in Canada,” he told. “But for us, it was a fairly typical influenza season. It started around the Christmas holidays and then levelled off as we moved forward.”
He added that strong vaccine uptake helped limit the impact.
“We did have fairly good vaccine uptake, especially among people 65 and older,” Shahab said. “That really reduced our burden in terms of hospitalizations and deaths.”
Even with that progress, several health concerns remain across Saskatchewan.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, has been reported in some areas, while tuberculosis continues to affect parts of northern Saskatchewan. A recent listeria-related food recall also serves as a reminder that illness risks are not limited to viruses.
Health officials are also watching measles closely.
“We haven’t had measles cases recently, which is good,” shared Shahab. “But measles is still an issue in other parts of the world, so it’s important to make sure children and adults are up to date with all routine vaccines.”
What people should do right now
As the season winds down, Shahab emphasized that simple actions still make a difference.
“Basic principles always help,” he urged. “Staying home if you’re unwell and making sure you’re up to date with your vaccines.”
Health officials recommend:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Wash or sanitize your hands regularly
- Wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces if you have symptoms
- Avoid visiting hospitals or long-term care homes when unwell
- Keep vaccinations up to date.
Those steps are especially important for protecting seniors, young children and people at higher risk.
“If you do have a cough or a cold, don’t visit someone in a long-term care facility or a hospital,” Shahab said. “And if there are precautions in place, follow them, including masking or hand hygiene.”
Extra caution in spring
Some seasonal risks also increase as the weather warms.
Hantavirus, while rare, can occur when cleaning enclosed spaces like garages or sheds after winter. Health officials recommend ventilating areas and avoiding exposure to dust.
Spring travel can also increase the risk of bringing illnesses like measles back into the province.
“It’s a good idea to make sure you and your children are up to date with all routine vaccines,” Shahab expressed.
Health officials expect illness levels to continue dropping over the next few weeks.
“Over the next two to four weeks, as we enter spring, we’ll see that level off,” Shahab said.
Still, he noted the importance of staying cautious even as conditions improve.
“Every respiratory season is a bit different,” he said. “But overall, this one has been fairly routine.”
