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N.W.T. confirms 1st swine flu-related death
Wed Nov 25, 7:03 PM
<!-- phugc -->A Northwest Territories man who has died of complications from the H1N1 flu virus did not get vaccinated for it, territorial health officials confirm.
The middle-aged man, whose name or home community was not released, was sick for about a day or so before he died last week, said Dr. Kami Kandola, the territory's chief public health officer.
"Tests have confirmed that he was H1N1 positive. This individual had chronic medical conditions," Kandola told reporters Wednesday in Yellowknife.
"He did not receive the H1N1 vaccine."
Kandola said the man's struggle with swine flu was likely complicated by the fact that he had a heart condition.
The man's death is the first confirmed death related to the H1N1 virus in the Northwest Territories.
A Fort Simpson, N.W.T., man who died in September was suspected of having swine flu, but laboratory tests came back negative for the H1N1 influenza A virus.
The latest death also marks the second swine flu-related death in a week in the northern territories. A middle-aged woman who died Thursday in Whitehorse was otherwise healthy but also did not get the H1N1 vaccine.
More than 25,000 residents about 60 per cent of the N.W.T.'s population have received the H1N1 shot since it was made available across the territory on Oct. 26.
Vaccines are still available at local health centres, according to the health department.
Despite the relatively high vaccination rate, Kandola said the H1N1 virus continues to circulate in the territory and can be dangerous particularly to vulnerable people.
Kandola suggested that it's very important for people to get vaccinated if they are under the age of five, if they are pregnant, or if they suffering from diabetes, heart and lung conditions, obesity or kidney failure.
Anyone needing information about the H1N1 virus can call the N.W.T. Health Department's flu information line at 1-888-920-3026 or Tele-Care at 1-888-255-1010.
Wed Nov 25, 7:03 PM
<!-- phugc -->A Northwest Territories man who has died of complications from the H1N1 flu virus did not get vaccinated for it, territorial health officials confirm.
The middle-aged man, whose name or home community was not released, was sick for about a day or so before he died last week, said Dr. Kami Kandola, the territory's chief public health officer.
"Tests have confirmed that he was H1N1 positive. This individual had chronic medical conditions," Kandola told reporters Wednesday in Yellowknife.
"He did not receive the H1N1 vaccine."
Kandola said the man's struggle with swine flu was likely complicated by the fact that he had a heart condition.
The man's death is the first confirmed death related to the H1N1 virus in the Northwest Territories.
A Fort Simpson, N.W.T., man who died in September was suspected of having swine flu, but laboratory tests came back negative for the H1N1 influenza A virus.
The latest death also marks the second swine flu-related death in a week in the northern territories. A middle-aged woman who died Thursday in Whitehorse was otherwise healthy but also did not get the H1N1 vaccine.
More than 25,000 residents about 60 per cent of the N.W.T.'s population have received the H1N1 shot since it was made available across the territory on Oct. 26.
Vaccines are still available at local health centres, according to the health department.
Despite the relatively high vaccination rate, Kandola said the H1N1 virus continues to circulate in the territory and can be dangerous particularly to vulnerable people.
Kandola suggested that it's very important for people to get vaccinated if they are under the age of five, if they are pregnant, or if they suffering from diabetes, heart and lung conditions, obesity or kidney failure.
Anyone needing information about the H1N1 virus can call the N.W.T. Health Department's flu information line at 1-888-920-3026 or Tele-Care at 1-888-255-1010.
