According to provincial data, 193 Albertans have died due to influenza so far this season, surpassing last year’s total of 175.

That’s the highest death toll since at least 2009.

The previous major peak, in 2022-23, was 123 flu deaths.

“I’m concerned now that after seeing this trend now for three years that this is becoming the new normal,” said Craig Jenne, a professor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary.