Below is a CBC new article with the newest information on the spread H1N1 (Swine Flu) in Canada:
The first pandemic outbreak in Canada’s fall flu season of the H1NI swine flu has been detected in a group of remote aboriginal communities near Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, reports the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The largest outbreak occurred in Ahousat, the principal settlement on Flores Island, which is accessible only by water or air, but other communities in the area including Hot Springs Cove and Tofino appear to be affected.
According to a story on the journal’s website, Dr. John Armstong, a family physician, says he has treated dozens of people infected with the virus, and the province’s public health lab in Vancouver recently instructed him to stop sending swabs because all of the samples he had already sent for testing were positive for the H1N1 virus.
The journal reports there has not been a flu-related death within the area, and all the cases have been “fairly mild” and treatable with Tamiflu, with only two patients - an infant and an adult age 50 - requiring hospitalization, .
Most of the cases are reportedly younger adults, between ages 20 and 40, and some teenagers.
It appears as if the predictions of an increased North American H1N1 (Swine Flu) pandemic in fall 2009 are becoming a reality. I have been watching the news closely to determine whether the hype around this outbreak is over-inflated fear mongering, or a legitimate threat to the public. It is appearing that the H1N1 threat is a legitimate concern within Canada. While the likelihood of death is low, the chance of contracting H1N1, and being ‘out of commission’ for an extended length of time continues to increase.
In this blog I have re-iterated time and time again the importance of preparing for a H1N1 pandemic. Even if you are in good health, consider those around you who you may pass the virus on to. The following groups are most at risk for serious side effects:
- Children and young adults, up to age 24
- Pregnant Women
- Mothers with newborn babies
- Individuals with HIV
- Individuals age 24 to 64 with chronic health problems (including chronic respiratory disease and asthma)
- Seniors, aged 65+
The following precautions are recommended for the general public:
- Wash your hands properly and often (alcohol based cleaners are good if you are not near soap and water)
- Cover your coughs and sneezes (use your elbow, not your hands)
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Stay at home if you are sick
- Stay healthy. This includes regular exercise and taking multi-vitamin supplements.
- Stay away from people who may be sick. If you have to be near someone who is sick, wearing a properly fit N95 mask will help to prevent the spread of the virus. **Contact SureHire to find out more information about mask fitting.
- A H1N1 vaccine will be made available to the public in October. The Canadian government is encouraging all people in at risk groups to receive this vaccination.
I will continue to post new developments regarding H1N1(Swine Flu) and the risk that it poses to the Canadian public. For more information on this topic, you can check out the newest issue of Sure:News.
Tags: H1N1, Mask Fit Testing, pandemic, Swine flu
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