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Water conference cancelled over swine flu fears
Tue, August 18, 2009
By THE CANADIAN PRESS
WOLLASTON LAKE, Sask. ? Native leaders at a reserve in northern Saskatchewan say they have cancelled a major North American conference on water because of the potential outbreak of the swine flu.
Edward Benoanie, a band councillor from the event host Hatchet Lake Dene Nation, tells CBC News that the decision is more of a precautionary measure.
According to the band, a child was recently confirmed as having contracted the H1N1 influenza A virus, and eight other families in the community have reported cases of flu-like symptoms.
The conference, called the Keepers of the Water IV, was to take place Aug. 20 to 24 at Wollaston Lake and was expected to attract 700 participants from across North America.
Benoanie says the band was concerned that visiting participants could contract the virus and spread it in their communities.
He says all public events have been cancelled in the reserve, located on the eastern shore of Wollaston Lake, about 600 kilometres north of Prince Albert.
Tue, August 18, 2009
By THE CANADIAN PRESS
WOLLASTON LAKE, Sask. ? Native leaders at a reserve in northern Saskatchewan say they have cancelled a major North American conference on water because of the potential outbreak of the swine flu.
Edward Benoanie, a band councillor from the event host Hatchet Lake Dene Nation, tells CBC News that the decision is more of a precautionary measure.
According to the band, a child was recently confirmed as having contracted the H1N1 influenza A virus, and eight other families in the community have reported cases of flu-like symptoms.
The conference, called the Keepers of the Water IV, was to take place Aug. 20 to 24 at Wollaston Lake and was expected to attract 700 participants from across North America.
Benoanie says the band was concerned that visiting participants could contract the virus and spread it in their communities.
He says all public events have been cancelled in the reserve, located on the eastern shore of Wollaston Lake, about 600 kilometres north of Prince Albert.
