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  • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

    #285:
    If Health Canada and Indian Affairs cannot organize the basic supplies, such as hand sanitizer and antivirals, then the military should be called in to provide proper housing and clean water as they do in Afghanistan, said Liberal Senator Charlie Watt of Quebec.

    "If they can do it for the other countries, why can't they do it here in Canada?" Watt asked.

    Comment


    • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

      I have to agree with the government on the hand sanitizer issue. I certainly wouldn't be sending any sanitizers which contain any amount of methanol to these reserves. However, this decision should have been made years ago and stockpiles of non-alcohol based sanitizers should have been ready to go. Oh, and I wouldn't want to be sending the military in to the sovereign first nations of Canada - that would start a civil war.

      Comment


      • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

        Originally posted by blacknail View Post
        non-alcohol based sanitizers should have been ready to go.
        Which products are you referring to? What else, besides the Purell and similar stuff, can be used in a water-less situation?

        J.

        Comment


        • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

          Originally posted by blacknail View Post
          I have to agree with the government on the hand sanitizer issue. I certainly wouldn't be sending any sanitizers which contain any amount of methanol to these reserves. However, this decision should have been made years ago and stockpiles of non-alcohol based sanitizers should have been ready to go. Oh, and I wouldn't want to be sending the military in to the sovereign first nations of Canada - that would start a civil war.
          If a individual whant's to fried himself by methanol or else, their's existed laws already contemplate what to do in that case.
          Shielding logistic decisions by such items explanations seems deplaced. They could send gloves instead of sanitizers, or plastic botle decontamination mixtures of soap and water.

          "Military" could means logistic and health mil. professionals with essential meds and tents/etc., a thing that could be seen everywhere worldwide, from earthquakes to bottled water provisions.
          Obviously that prior the above, the nations were made some agreement about.

          Comment


          • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

            Source: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/st...-manitoba.html


            Manitoba First Nations declare swine flu state of emergency
            Last Updated: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 | 3:34 PM CT
            CBC News

            The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs has declared a state of emergency in Manitoba First Nations over the H1N1 pandemic.

            Grand Chief Ron Evans said Wednesday the H1N1 influenza virus, also known as swine flu, is spreading rapidly through native communities. With supplies taking nearly a month to be delivered, Evans said First Nations people are at too much risk ? especially when just getting hand sanitizer is a political and bureaucratic nightmare.

            "Enough is enough," he said at a news conference Wednesday.

            When the World Health Organization declared H1N1 a pandemic on June 11, it should have triggered the release of government money to buy medicine, organize emergency services and step up the response, said Evans.

            The AMC wants the provincial and federal governments to address money issues and ensure plans are in place to protect people when the fall flu season starts.

            Health Canada delayed the delivery of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to some First Nations communities affected by swine flu due to concerns the alcohol content might be abused, Dr. Kim Barker, the senior public health adviser to the Assembly of First Nations, told a Senate committee Tuesday.

            Barker said the incident was only one example of how measures used to contain the swine flu pandemic have been ill-suited to the social realities of some aboriginal communities that lack running water for hand washing.

            Canada's First Nations communities have been hit hard by the H1N1 virus, but there is no consistent approach to the outbreak across the country, Barker told the Senate committee on aboriginal peoples.

            She called for an independent task force to study flu outbreaks in First Nations communities and report back with recommendations for a seamless approach across the country before the fall.

            Comment


            • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

              Manitoba News Release
              .................................................. ..........
              June 24, 2009

              BULLETIN #26 H1N1 FLU

              . Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is reporting 163 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu this past week based on positive lab tests from Cadham Provincial Laboratories. This brings the Manitoba total to 458 reported laboratory-confirmed cases.

              . As of June 22, there were 37 patients on ventilators in intensive-care units with severe respiratory illness in Manitoba. Since the first H1N1 case, a total of 49 patients have been admitted to intensive-care units; 21 of these have had a confirmed lab test of H1N1. The others are suspected cases that have not yet met current national case definitions.

              . While it has been estimated the vast majority of the individuals in Manitoba who have been infected with H1N1 have recovered without specific medical care or hospitalization, all people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home from work or limit contact with others as much as possible to prevent the spread of illness.

              . If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and you are concerned that you may need advice or care, do not hesitate to contact your health-care provider, visit your nearest health centre or call Health Links-Info Sant? at 788 8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).

              . If you have symptoms of more severe or serious illness such as shortness of breath, dehydration or severe weakness then you should get prompt medical attention. If other symptoms such as coughs or fever get worse, seek prompt medical care. Even if you have already seen a health-care provider and serious symptoms appear, your symptoms get worse or you do not get better as you normally would (usually within two to three days), then you should again seek prompt medical care.

              . Test results for viruses, such as H1N1 influenza, are not required by health providers to make decisions about care. Health providers have current guidelines for practice in this situation including recent updates issued this week.

              . In response to the call to action for health-care workers in northern Manitoba, there have been over 50 volunteers including physicians, medical residents, nurses and nurse practitioners. So far, 13 have been deployed in northern communities and scheduling will continue. This is additional medical support to augment normal northern staffing. Interested physician and nurses can indicate their interest in working in northern communities that need additional resources by visiting the flu website at www.manitoba.ca where there is a Physicians and Nurses Needed button.

              . More information about the prevention and care of H1N1 flu is available on the flu website at www.manitoba.ca.

              SUMMARY OF ALL LAB-CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES IN MANITOBA AS OF JUNE 24

              RHA
              (Patient's residence) Total
              Assiniboine 7
              Brandon 17
              Burntwood/Churchill 113
              Central 6
              Interlake 19
              NOR-MAN 38
              North Eastman 17
              Parkland 11
              South Eastman 4
              Winnipeg 226
              Total 458

              . Manitoba has reported two deaths of residents with a lab-confirmed diagnosis of H1N1 influenza.

              Comment


              • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

                Originally posted by cartski View Post
                Which products are you referring to? What else, besides the Purell and similar stuff, can be used in a water-less situation?

                J.

                Disinfecting wipes - the ones intended for counter tops, etc. They claim to kill infuenza A.

                The CLOROX brand container says "not for cleaning or sanitizing skin" and "it's a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling", BUT considering you use the product with your bare hand, they're clearly not terribly dangerous. If that was the only thing available I'd use it.

                There are similar products intended for skin, but they don't claim to kill influenza. They may provide some protection.

                Another option - the prep wipes for injections. They're alcohol.

                Another obvious option - soap and water can be used without running water!

                .
                "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

                Comment


                • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

                  A bucket of water, drawn from the river or lake 100 yards away, is likely not to be thrown out and re-drawn after each use. So how long would a virus survive in a bucket of soapy water? How many people could use the same bucket without risking further transmission?

                  J.

                  Comment


                  • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

                    Originally posted by cartski View Post
                    A bucket of water, drawn from the river or lake 100 yards away, is likely not to be thrown out and re-drawn after each use. So how long would a virus survive in a bucket of soapy water? How many people could use the same bucket without risking further transmission?

                    J.
                    They can pour the bucket water over hands - it may not be "running" water but rather "poured" water, thereby keeping the original source clean.

                    My camping SOP is to do the above, then have a small basin of clean water with a few drops of bleach for "rinse" water......it does double duty.

                    Years ago, my son's daycare had the kids play in a "water table" prior to lunch. It was a large square basin with water-toys and a few inches of water laced with a few drops of bleach. They felt it contributed to stopping disease transmission.

                    .
                    "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

                    Comment


                    • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

                      July 2, 2009

                      BULLETIN #29
                      H1N1 FLU

                      - Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is reporting 227 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu this past week based on positive lab tests reported by Cadham Provincial Laboratory. This brings the Manitoba total to 685 reported laboratory confirmed cases. Manitoba has reported four H1N1 flu related deaths.-


                      If you have symptoms of a more severe or serious illness such as shortness of breath, dehydration or severe weakness, then you should seek immediate medical care. If other symptoms such as coughs or fever get worse, you should also see your health-care provider. If serious symptoms appear, get worse or you do not get better as you normally would (within two to three days) you should promptly see your health-care provider even if you have already visited them about your illness.

                      - While it has been estimated that the vast majority of the individuals in Manitoba who have been infected with H1N1 have recovered without specific medical care or hospitalization, all people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home from work and limit contact with others as much as possible to prevent the spread of illness.

                      - If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and you are concerned that you may need advice or care, do not hesitate to contact your health-care provider, visit your nearest health centre or call Health Links-Info Sant? at 788 8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).

                      - More information about the prevention and care of H1N1 flu is also available on the flu website at www.manitoba.ca.

                      SUMMARY OF ALL LAB-CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES IN MANITOBA AS OF JUNE 29

                      RHA
                      (Patient's residence)
                      Assiniboine: 15
                      Brandon: 24
                      Burntwood/Churchill: 147
                      Central: 18
                      Interlake: 38
                      NOR-MAN: 47
                      North Eastman: 50
                      Parkland: 15
                      South Eastman: 10
                      Winnipeg: 321
                      Total: 685

                      Comment


                      • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

                        Manitoba News Release
                        .................................................. ..........
                        July 6, 2009

                        BULLETIN #30 H1N1 FLU

                        . Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is reporting the death of an adult between the ages of 18 and 65 who had a lab-confirmed positive test for H1N1 influenza. This brings the total number of deaths associated with a lab-confirmed diagnosis of H1N1 influenza to five in Manitoba.

                        Comment


                        • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

                          Source: http://www.nationalpost.com/blogs/story.html?id=1765098


                          First Nations pandemic teams bracing for fall flu carnage
                          Carol Sanders, Winnipeg Free Press Published: Monday, July 06, 2009


                          Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq has met with the chiefs of communities in Manitoba hit hard by swine flu.Blair Gable/ReutersMinister of Health Leona Aglukkaq has met with the chiefs of communities in Manitoba hit hard by swine flu.

                          A day after Manitoba marked its fifth death from the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, First Nations emergency planners in the province gathered on Monday to talk about how to prevent carnage in their communities this fall, when the flu is expected to surge.

                          Sagkeeng is taking a cue from its elders and healers who've survived previous epidemics, said Christian Edwards, the community's fire chief and pandemic plan co-ordinator.

                          His community is trying to get back to healthier ways of living.

                          A campaign in the schools has encouraged children to drink water instead of pop, and already produced results in happier, healthier kids, he said.

                          Students are helping elders to pick traditional herbs and plants like sage and juniper for medicine, said Mr. Edwards.

                          He was one of dozens of delegates attending a Southern Chiefs Organization H1N1 training session funded by the federal First Nation and Inuit Health Branch.

                          While the flu is expected to slow down over the summer, there are still powwows and other big gatherings where the virus can be spread during the months of July and August.

                          But a real surge in flu cases is expected in the fall when people are back in school and working in close quarters.

                          An H1N1 vaccine is also expected to be ready in October or November, requiring plans for a massive vaccination program.

                          In places like Sagkeeng, about 110 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, there are elders who remember the ravages of the 1918 Spanish flu in the community.

                          "If they got it in the morning, they were dead by night time," said Mr. Edwards.

                          There is a mass grave in Sagkeeng for those flu victims, said Mr. Edwards.

                          Mr. Edwards said his community, with 4,400 on-reserve residents, has four confirmed flu cases and is close to running out of hand sanitizer. They were given 18 one-litre dispensers, each with a one-litre refill. There are 20 public buildings in Sagkeeng.

                          Mr. Edwards said he has faith in flu-fighting plans, and that the communities will be equipped to deal with the outbreak.

                          "The world today is more ready than it's ever been to cope with a pandemic," he said.

                          Earlier in the outbreak, each First Nation was given a July 15 deadline for submitting pandemic plans to the First Nation and Inuit Health Branch.

                          "We really need to get a sense of what level of preparedness our communities have," said Jim Wolfe, the health branch regional director.

                          The province has millions of masks, gowns and gloves stockpiled in case of a surge in severe flu cases, Gerry Delorme with Manitoba Health told the first nation pandemic planners.

                          The province is responsible for guiding the response to a pandemic, while the federal First Nation and Inuit Health Branch is responsible for helping First Nations develop pandemic plans.

                          A nurse in one first nation asked how they were supposed to predict how much vaccine they'd need when there's no final word on who the vaccine would help the most.

                          "That criteria will be based on our experience today of who's getting sick," said Dr. Linda Poffenroth, medical health officer with the First Nation and Inuit Health Branch.

                          Dr. Poffenroth said those most at risk of getting severely sick from the H1N1 virus are people with underlying health conditions and women in their third trimester of pregnancy or within a month of having their baby.

                          She was asked what would happen if there weren't enough ventilators, or breathing machines, to meet the demand if there is a surge in severe flu, which attacks the lungs.

                          "There are going to be some incredibly difficult decisions to make," said Dr. Poffenroth.

                          A number of factors would be considered by ethics committees, including the likelihood of a person getting better, and age. "We would like to think that our children would be looked after."

                          carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

                          Comment


                          • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

                            Originally posted by Shiloh View Post
                            Source: http://www.nationalpost.com/blogs/story.html?id=1765098

                            Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq has met with the chiefs of communities in Manitoba hit hard by swine flu.

                            Sagkeeng is taking a cue from its elders and healers who've survived previous epidemics, said Christian Edwards, the community's fire chief and pandemic plan co-ordinator.

                            His community is trying to get back to healthier ways of living.

                            A campaign in the schools has encouraged children to drink water instead of pop, and already produced results in happier, healthier kids, he said.

                            Students are helping elders to pick traditional herbs and plants like sage and juniper for medicine, said Mr. Edwards.


                            carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
                            This makes tremendous sense. Thank goodness for Christian Edwards and his approach.

                            What would be great is for the Canadian Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq to support a vitamin D supplementation initiative for the First Nations people.

                            IMO, it is highly likely that the Minster herself is vitamin D insufficient if not deficient and probably does not even know it. Maybe if she asked her GP for a test of her serum 25 OH vit D level she would realize just how widespread this problem is not just among those living within the First Nations communities but indeed among all Canadians.

                            GW
                            The Doctor

                            Comment


                            • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

                              Manitoba News Release
                              .................................................. ..........
                              July 8, 2009

                              BULLETIN #31 H1N1 FLU

                              . Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is reporting the death of an adult between the age of 18 and 65 who had a lab-confirmed positive test for H1N1 influenza and other underlying medical conditions. This brings the total number of deaths associated with a lab-confirmed diagnosis of H1N1 influenza to six in Manitoba.

                              . The province is also reporting 102 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu this past week based on positive lab tests. This brings the Manitoba total to 787 laboratory-confirmed cases.

                              . The number of Manitobans with severe respiratory illness on ventilators continues to be tracked by the province. On July 6, 23 people with a severe respiratory illness required the support of a ventilator in an intensive-care unit. Manitoba has 186 ventilators located across the province as well as 15 ventilators from the national stockpile that have not been deployed. Regions have plans in place to deal with surges of people who need care.

                              . If you have symptoms of a more severe or serious illness such as shortness of breath, dehydration or severe weakness, then you should seek immediate medical care. If other symptoms such as coughs or fever get worse, you should also see your health-care provider. If serious symptoms appear, get worse or you do not get better as you normally would (within two to three days), you should promptly see your health-care provider even if you have already visited them about your illness.

                              . While it has been estimated the vast majority of the individuals in Manitoba who have been infected with H1N1 have recovered without specific medical care or hospitalization, all people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home from work while they are ill and limit contact with others as much as possible to prevent the spread of illness.

                              . If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and you are concerned that you may need advice or care, do not hesitate to contact your health-care provider, visit your nearest health centre or call Health Links-Info Sant? at 788 8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).

                              . More information about the prevention and care of H1N1 flu is available on the flu website at www.manitoba.ca.

                              SUMMARY OF ALL LAB-CONFIRMED H1N1 CASES IN MANITOBA AS OF JULY 6

                              RHA
                              (Patient's residence) Total
                              Assiniboine 20
                              Brandon 35
                              Burntwood/Churchill 166
                              Central 19
                              Interlake 47
                              NOR-MAN 55
                              North Eastman 53
                              Parkland 15
                              South Eastman 12
                              Winnipeg 364
                              Unknown 1
                              Total 787

                              Comment


                              • Re: Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

                                And here's the final tally, in a town of 2,700 people....



                                H1N1 flu scare hit isolated Manitoba reserve hard: study
                                Mary Agnes Welch, Winnipeg Free Press
                                December 15, 2011 12:14 PM Comment 0 At the height of the H1N1 flu pandemic's first wave, an unusually large cluster of victims lived in one small, isolated Manitoba reserve where most homes don't have running water.Photo by: Thomas Lohnes
                                WINNIPEG — At the height of the H1N1 flu pandemic's first wave, an unusually large cluster of victims lived in one small, isolated Manitoba reserve where most homes don't have running water.


                                St. Theresa Point First Nation had a wave of 175 cases of likely or confirmed H1N1 in the spring of 2009, according to a study kept secret by Health Canada — until now.


                                "It is likely that one contributing factor to this outbreak was the lack of running water in homes," wrote Public Health Agency of Canada epidemiologist Sue Pollock. "Without running water in the home, basic hygiene practices become a challenge, especially when the standpipe (communal tap) system is not easily accessible."

                                more at above link..
                                Last edited by sharon sanders; December 15, 2011, 10:57 PM. Reason: shortened

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