The federal public health agency announced Friday that flu season has officially begun in Canada.

Nationally, influenza activity has crossed the seasonal threshold that indicates the start of flu season, the Public Health Agency of Canada said in its weekly FluWatch report, published online.

The rate of tests that were positive for the flu remained above five percent for two consecutive weeks.
    As of Nov. 25, 7.5 percent of people tested for the flu across Canada were.

Dr. Alison McGirr, an infectious disease specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, said the number of cases is increasing.

"If you're going to get the flu shot, now is a great time to do it," he said in an interview.

"The flu season that's starting now tells you there's going to be a lot of flu in late December and early January," McGirr said, noting that it takes about two weeks for a flu shot to boost a person's immune system. . "


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