Canada Has 6 Cases of Swine Flu
UPDATE: Now six cases
British Columbia gov’t.
Two people in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia have been confirmed for the swine influenza virus that has caused illness in Mexico and the United States. The specimens are being sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for further testing.
“In anticipation of this happening, we set up enhanced surveillance last week in British Columbia and we have found two influenza cases related to swine flu,†said Dr. Eric Young, deputy provincial health officer. “These cases have presented with a clinical picture consistent with seasonal influenza. We do anticipate more cases over the next weeks. We will continue to work closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada to monitor the situation, which is in turn working with health officials from the United States and Mexico.â€
The two B.C. patients have recovered without exhibiting the serious symptoms and deterioration observed in young adults in Mexico.
“The two cases did not fit the profile of serious respiratory illness, and were more like regular influenza-like illness,†said Dr. Danuta Skowronski, physician epidemiologist and influenza and respiratory illness lead at the BC Centre for Disease Control, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. “The cases were detected by B.C.’s robust and responsive public health surveillance system. Our surveillance will remain on high alert to detect other possible cases in the days and weeks ahead.â€
The Department of Health Promotion and Protection, working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, has identified four cases of swine influenza in Windsor, Hants Co.
“There is no reason for the Windsor community or Nova Scotians to be overly concerned,” said Dr. Robert Strang, chief public health officer for the province. “The individuals affected by this illness have all experienced mild symptoms and are recovering. No one, at this point, has been hospitalized because of this illness. Nonetheless, we remain vigilant and are continuing our surveillance work in the Windsor area and across the province.”
Like other jurisdictions in Canada, Nova Scotia became aware of the potential health issue last week. The Department of Health Promotion and Protection immediately contacted the province’s network of public health professionals in districts across the province to ensure all were well informed, and prepared to act quickly.
“Nova Scotia is well-positioned to deal with this situation,” said Pat Dunn, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection. “We have a strong public health system in this province, staffed by highly skilled and caring professionals. I have the utmost confidence in their ability to manage any public health issue that might arise.”
The department will continue its surveillance efforts across the province using established public health practices and protocols. Any additional cases which arise will also be thoroughly investigated.
“We took all the necessary steps to ensure we were prepared to handle any situation,” said Dr. Strang. “We reacted quickly, and the fact that we have identified these cases tells me that our extra efforts are working.”
Anyone planning to travel to Mexico is advised to get a flu shot.
Prevention continues to be the best approach to prevent illness. Nova Scotians are advised to wash their hands thoroughly and often, cough into their sleeves and stay away from the public if they are sick.
Table of contents for Swine flu outbreak 2009
- Swine Flu Outbreak
- WHO Press Release on Swine Flu
- New Swine Flu Cases in Kansas
- Swine Flu Update – 04-26-2009
- Canada Has 6 Cases of Swine Flu
- CDC Briefing on Swine Flu for 4-26-2009
- Swine Flu Update: Early Morning 4-27-2009
- Swine Flu Found in Scotland
- WHO Declares Stage 4 Influenza Pandemic Alert
- New Swine Flu Cases in California
- Swine Flu Report – Early Morning 4-28-2009
- Military Flu Screening IDs Texas Swine Flu Cases
- Swine Flu – Midday 4-28-2009
- Swine Flu – Morning Update 4-29-2009
- 91 Swine Flu Cases in US
- Worldwide Swine Flu Cases from WHO 4-29-2009
- Suspected H1N1 Flu Case Reported at California Marine Base
- Swine Flu Pandemic Alert Level Raised to 5
- WHO Raises Pandemic Alert Level to 5
- Swine Flu Update – Early Morning 4-30-2009
- Swine Flu Involving Marines in California
- Swine Flu Cases in the U.S. 4-30-2009
- Swine Flu Cases in the United States May 2, 2009
- WHO Count of Swine Flu Cases
- U.S. Swine Flu Cases for May 1, 2009
- Mexican Swine Flu Testing Catching Up
- Worldwide Swine Flu Update 5-3-2009
- Swine Flu Update for the United States 5-03-2009
- Swine Flu in Texas
- Swine Flu in California
- Worlwide Swine Flu Update for May 4, 2009
- Worlwide Swine Flu Update for May 5, 2009
- Swine Flu Update for the United States May 6 2009
- Illinois Swine Flu Case Count Leaps
- US Swine Flu Case Count Up 45% May 5, 2009
- Swine Flu H1N1 Update for May 7, 2009
- United States Swine Flu – H1N1 Update for May 9 2009
- Worldwide Swine Flu Update for Early Morning May 11 2009
- United States Swine Flu H1N1 Update May 11 2009
- Swine Flu – H1N1 Update for May 13, 2009
- United States Swine Flu – H1N1 Update May 14 2009
- Swine Flu – H1N1 Update for the United States May 15 2009
- Colds and Influenza
- Swine Flu – H1N1 Update for the United States May 18 2009
- Swine Flu – H1N1 World Report May 19 2009
- Swine Flu – H1N1 in New York May 19 2009
- Swine Flu – Novel H1N1 Update for the United States May 20 2009
- Swine Flu – Novel H1N1 Weekend Summary May 23 2009
- Warning About Swine Flu – H1N1 May 23 2009
- Agencies Hide Swine Flu Cases
- Lost Swine Flu – H1N1 Cases in the United States
- Lost Swine Flu Cases for May 28 2009
- Novel H1N1 or Swine Flu Cases in the United States May 29 2009
- Swine Flu Weekend Update – United States May 30 2009
- Swine Flu or H1N1 in the United States – June 1 2009
- World Swine Flu – Novel H1N1 Cases for June 3 2009
- Swine Flu or H1N1 in the United States for June 3 2009
- World Swine Flu or H1N1 Cases June 5 2009
- Swine Flu or Novel H1N1 Cases in the United States June 5 2009
- Is Swine Flu or Novel H1N1 in Decline in the U.S.?
- New Orleans Mayor Nagin Quarantined In China
- Swine Flu or Novel H1N1 in the United States June 8 2009
- Why Public Health Agencies Lack Funds to Fight Swine Flu
- Pandemic Flu Announcement to Come on Wednesday
- Swine Flu or Novel H1N1 in the United States June 10 2009
- Pandemic! Swine Flu or Novel H1N1 Official Pandemic as of 6 pm GMT
- Swine Flu Parties
- How to prevent catching Swine Flu
This entry was posted on Sunday, April 26th, 2009 at 1:46 pm and is filed under Medicine, Influenza, Medicine, Medicine, Pandemic, Medicine, Swine Flu. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
