Novel Respiratory Viruses: Information for Health Care Providers

Updated July 2024

The World Health Organization and Public Health Agency of Canada are closely monitoring novel and emerging respiratory infections caused by viruses.

• Information on emerging respiratory pathogens - Public Health Agency of Canada
• Human Emerging Respiratory Pathogens Bulletin - Public Health Agency of Canada
• Global Influenza Programme - Monthly Risk Assessment Summary - World Health Organization 

The risk of human infections and transmission of novel influenza virus (such as avian influenza A(H5N1) or swine influenza A(H3N2)v) or novel coronavirus (such as MERS-CoV) is currently low in Canada. However, it is important that all health care providers are aware of the steps to identify, diagnose and treat persons who may be infected with these viruses.

Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI)

Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) is defined as an acute respiratory infection with:

• history of fever or measured fever of ≥ 38 C°
• and cough
• with onset within the last 10 days
• and requires hospitalization.

The initial risk assessment must consider common causes (e.g., seasonal influenza) and exposures to novel and emerging respiratory pathogens. SARI alerts should trigger clinicians to "Think, Tell and Test."

• Think about the possibility of an emerging respiratory infection (e.g. novel influenza A virus)
• Tell the local medical officer of health
• Test for pathogen after appropriate consultation and based on clinical symptoms

• Infection Prevention and Control Measures and Initial Management of Persons Who May Be Infected with a Novel Respiratory Virus - Saskatchewan Infection Prevention and Control Program
• Laboratory Testing for Persons Who May Be Infected with a Novel Respiratory Virus – Saskatchewan Infection Prevention and Control Program
• Extended Respiratory Virus Panel testing - Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory
• Protocol for Microbiological Investigations of Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) – Public Health Agency of Canada

Novel Influenza

Humans can be infected with avian, swine and other influenza viruses. Outbreaks of avian influenza A(H5N1) in domestic and wild birds and some wild mammals have recently emerged and become widespread in Europe and North, Central and South America, including across Canada and in Saskatchewan. Currently circulating zoonotic influenza viruses have not yet demonstrated sustained person-to-person transmission.

• Avian influenza (Bird Flu) What to Know – Government of Saskatchewan
• Avian influenza A (H5N1): For health professionals – Public Health Agency of Canada
• Guidance on human health issues related to avian influenza in Canada (HHAI) – Public Health Agency of Canada
• Treatment with oseltamivir is currently recommended as per the 2021–2022 AMMI Canada guidance on the use of antiviral drugs for influenza in the COVID-19 pandemic setting in Canada

Coronaviruses

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Viruses in this family also cause illness in animals.

• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Government of Saskatchewan
• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV): Information for Health Care Providers – Government of Saskatchewan