Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health...+illnesses+reported+Mexico/1523180/story.html

Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico
Canwest News ServiceApril 22, 2009 2:02 PM

OTTAWA ? The Public Health Agency of Canada has told quarantine services to be on alert for travellers returning from Mexico after a number of severe respiratory illnesses (SRI) were reported in some regions of the country.

Mexican health authorities contacted PHAC last Friday to inform them of the respiratory conditions, which were reported in the south and central areas of Mexico. The cases elevated from flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory conditions in about five days, with "a high proportion" of cases requiring assisted ventilation.

PHAC, in an April 20 report, said Mexican officials informed the Canadian health agency that the "case-fatality rate was relatively high" and that most cases involved healthy adults between the ages of 25 and 44. A number of health-care workers were also affected.

Although no cause has been confirmed, some samples were positive for influenza A and B.

PHAC said the concern for Canadians travelling from Mexico serves as a "reminder of the importance of the SRI hospital-based surveillance established after the SARS outbreak in Canada."

 

[HenryN]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Source: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Health...+illnesses+reported+Mexico/1523180/story.html

Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico
Canwest News ServiceApril 22, 2009 2:02 PM

OTTAWA ? The Public Health Agency of Canada has told quarantine services to be on alert for travellers returning from Mexico after a number of severe respiratory illnesses (SRI) were reported in some regions of the country.

Mexican health authorities contacted PHAC last Friday to inform them of the respiratory conditions, which were reported in the south and central areas of Mexico. The cases elevated from flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory conditions in about five days, with "a high proportion" of cases requiring assisted ventilation.

PHAC, in an April 20 report, said Mexican officials informed the Canadian health agency that the "case-fatality rate was relatively high" and that most cases involved healthy adults between the ages of 25 and 44. A number of health-care workers were also affected.

Although no cause has been confirmed, some samples were positive for influenza A and B.

PHAC said the concern for Canadians travelling from Mexico serves as a "reminder of the importance of the SRI hospital-based surveillance established after the SARS outbreak in Canada."

Cases positive for influenza A would raise concerns of swine flu spread.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Source: http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/ElFi...cId=185110&docTipo=1&orderby=docid&sortby=ASC

Google translation;

Alert in the country by increasing cases of influenza
Health - Wednesday, April 22 (14:33 hrs.)

* The SSA reports that increased to 40%
* From March 18 to 20 reported deaths from complications


El Financiero Online

Mexico, April 22 .- The Ministry of Health (SSA) launched a national warning because of the probable cases of seasonal influenza increased to 40 per cent and March 18 at the time were 20 deaths in the country for complications .

At a news conference, the deputy director of Prevention and Health Promotion, Mauricio Hernandez Avila, reported that this alert is closely monitoring hospitalizations and deaths associated with seasonal influenza.

He noted that since Monday, 20 was a denial of service, so that all hospitals and health centers in the country from zero to report probable cases of seasonal influenza detected.

Hern?ndez Avila noted that this situation is atypical, since the period of the disease is in the winter and the most critical situation is presented in November, December and January, starting to decline in February.

However, he said, which drew attention to intensify epidemiological surveillance is that "the peak of the curve was re-raise so unusual in mid-March to date."

He added that the probable cases occurring in young adults, ie 20 to 45 years, and recalled that the vaccination campaigns were 19 million doses of flu to a group of under 36 months and older than 60 years, considered the most exposed to the disease.

Hern?ndez Avila argued that a special campaign to vaccinate hospital staff who are exposed to the disease, which has 400 thousand doses, but more will be purchased to immunize half a million in this sector, which would spent almost 25 million pesos.

In this context called for health workers to come to get the vaccine and is not contagious seasonal influenza.

He clarified that it is not intended to cause alarm because it is not an epidemic, but an atypical situation, so he asked the public to address the preventive measures that will be disseminated in the media, posters and health centers in the country.

Among those recommendations: wash hands with soap and water, if they are suspected of suffering from flu or flu not to stand in crowded places; cover mouth and nose when sneezing, never use the hand without tissue, and if it catches on Sneezing placed forearm.

Those who develop symptoms such as headache strong, eye pain, nasal fluid, cough and extreme tiredness, Hernandez Avila recommended immediately go to a health center because it can be a probable case of seasonal influenza.

He noted that it is unknown why such a situation, it is investigated to determine the cause, and said that United States occurred in a similar situation from which are emerging.

Hern?ndez Avila completely ruled out that the cases are registered as an influenza pandemic are some cases in Asia.

Hern?ndez Avila was accompanied by the holder of the National Center for Disease Control, Miguel Angel Lezama, and Dr. Hugo Gacel Lopez, director of epidemiology, who announced the figures.

Gacel Lopez explained that what is considered the normal period from October 1 to March 1, seven thousand were reported 237 probable cases, of which 313 were confirmed and that there were 30 total deaths.

He said that according to the court which made the January 1 to 14 weeks (April 11) has a total of four thousand probable cases, and to realize the increase in influenza is considered the situation of monitoring and focus from 18 March.

Of these four thousand cases, he added Gacel Lopez, you can not specify the probable. But the 20 of March 18 deaths to date related to seasonal influenza.

Explained that 13 of the 20 deaths were in the Federal District, four in San Luis Potosi, two in Baja California and one in Oaxaca. (With information from Notimex / AYV)

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Source: http://www.wradio.com.mx/nota.aspx?id=796626

Google translation:

Ministry of Health alert on rise in influenzaW Radio | April 17, 2009

Mexico .- Authorities of the Ministry of Health warned that seasonal influenza claimed the lives of two people so far this year, and explained that now the evil is also present in spring and with more intensity.

At a press conference, authorities indicated that the agency so far this year there have been four thousand reported 167 probable cases and confirmed 313 (7.5 percent). The reporting of suspected and confirmed cases has tripled this year over the same period of 2008.

Indicated that there have been 14 outbreaks, mainly in Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Chihuahua, Mexico and Baja California.

The only two deaths occurred at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases and reported that there is no single or even a scientific explanation as to why the flu is prolonged in time and intensity.

However, they believe that is due to an increased presence of type B virus combined with the traditional type A.

Emphasized that the flu can be detected as a worse case of flu and asked people not to self medication and seek medical attention immediately, because the deaths were related to self-prescription and late presence in health care.

They stressed that had launched several operations related to the disease, including the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance and health, provide medical care to standardize the application of antivirals and vaccines to vulnerable groups and monitor the safety and effectiveness.

Furthermore, the aim is to ensure inputs, medicines and vaccines, promoting self care and to ensure the safety of staff. In this regard, they noted that they will apply from 200 to 400 thousand vaccine for medical staff, which is particularly vulnerable.

The conference was Carlos Santos-Burgoa of the General Directorate of Health Promotion, Mauricio Hernandez, Undersecretary for Prevention and Health Promotion; Miguel Lezana, National Center of Epidemiological Surveillance and Disease Control and Samuel Ponce de Leon, Laboratory of Biological Reagents and Mexico.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Source: http://www.baytoday.ca/content/news/details.asp?c=31073

Been to Mexico lately ... Health Unit thinks you should know this
By Kate Adams
BayToday.ca
Wednesday, April 22, 2009


North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (Ontario, Canada)
News Release

********************

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit advises that a number of severe respiratory illness (SRI) cases are occurring in various locations of south and central Mexico. At this time, no cases have been reported outside of Mexico. Physicians and local healthcare workers are asked to actively watch for cases of SRI, especially in people who have returned from Mexico within the last two weeks.

The people in Mexico who have SRI began with influenza-like symptoms that rapidly progressed to severe respiratory distress in about 5 days, with many requiring mechanical ventilation. Some patients have died. Most people who became ill were previously healthy young adults aged between 25-44 years old. Some health care workers have also been affected.

The Health Unit notified physicians, hospitals, and walk-in clinics within the North Bay Parry Sound catchment area. If you have visited Mexico in the last two weeks and have influenza-like symptoms (eg: fever, cough, sore throat, muscle or joint aches, shortness of breath) seek medical attention.

To stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections, the Health Unit recommends:

? Wash your hands well and often.
? Sneeze and cough into your upper sleeve.
? Stay at home when you are ill.
? Eat a well-balanced diet.

The Health Unit will provide more information as it becomes available.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/04/23/respiratory-illness-flu-mexico.html

Canadians returning from Mexico urged to be on alert for flu-like symptoms
20 die from severe respiratory illness in Mexico
Last Updated: Thursday, April 23, 2009 | 9:30 AM ET
CBC News

Canadians who have recently returned from Mexico should be on alert for flu-like symptoms that could be connected to a severe respiratory illness, according to an advisory sent to health services across Canada.

The Public Health Agency of Canada contacted health and quarantine services on April 17 to inform them that Mexican health authorities had advised Canada to be on alert for possible infections.

A severe respiratory illness appears to have infected hundreds in south and central areas of Mexico, according to Mexican health officials.

The illness has killed at least 20 people in Mexico, mostly men between the ages of 25 and 44, according to a public advisory sent out by Canadian health authorities.

Hundreds of people have also reportedly been hospitalized and health-care workers have also been infected.

Officials said there are not yet any reports of the illness outside of Mexico.

The cause of the illness has not been confirmed. Mexican health officials said samples so far have tested positive for influenza A and B.

People infected with the virus initially suffer flu-like symptoms that include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle and joint pain and shortness of breath. The illness then elevates to a severe respiratory illness within about five days.

Anyone who has returned from Mexico within the last two weeks and is suffering similar symptoms is being asked to contact a physician.

Mexican health authorities said that many of those diagnosed with the illness have had to be put on ventilators.

 

[tropical]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

#4:
"Indicated that there have been 14 outbreaks ..."
"167 probable cases and confirmed 313 (7.5 percent)"
#3:
"He clarified that it is not intended to cause alarm because it is not an epidemic, but an atypical situation ..."
#5:
"The people in Mexico who have SRI began with influenza-like symptoms that rapidly progressed to severe respiratory distress in about 5 days, with many requiring mechanical ventilation. Some patients have died. Most people who became ill were previously healthy young adults aged between 25-44 years old. Some health care workers have also been affected."

14 outbreaks from an same serious illness throughout one country ARE an epidemic.

The usage of the word "atypical" worldwide became to be missleading.

If an bug epidemic of "influenza like ... rapidly progressed to severe RDS in about 5 days" with several hundred cases in a few weeks is not enaugh to lift onto an country an quarantine ring, that means allowing worldwide illness spreading ...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/serv...mexicoillnessupdate0423/BNStory/National/home


Canadians returning from Mexico warned of illness
CAROLINE ALPHONSO

Globe and Mail Update

April 23, 2009 at 12:40 PM EDT

Canadians who have returned from Mexico within the past week should be on alert for flu-like symptoms connected to a severe respiratory illness than has killed 20 Mexicans, health officials say.

Allison McGeer, an infectious-diseases expert at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, said that Canadians who have been back for two weeks need not worry. Those back for about four days and are feeling sick enough to go to the hospital should let doctors know they were in Mexico. "If you've got a cold, you don't need to worry about it. It's just a cold," Dr. McGeer said.

The Public Health Agency of Canada contacted health agencies across the country to put them on alert for possible infections. The respiratory illness in Mexico resulted in 20 deaths in the first three weeks of April, and has hospitalized many others.

Dr. McGeer said the affected regions appear to be Mexico City and San Luis Potos?. The cause of the illness has not been confirmed. Dr. McGeer said the cases could be seasonal influenza.

"Pneumonia and influenza are the third most common cause of death, and 60,000 Canadians die every year. So we're talking about 20 deaths in the last three weeks in Mexico, which has considerably more people than Canada," Dr. McGeer said. "This is not to say that when you hear this you don't get panicky and worried." But she cautions that there is no reason to be worry.

Before the 2003 SARS outbreak, Mexico, like other countries, would have investigated the incident, but not alerted other countries. Lessons have since been learned. Dr. McGeer said health officials are constantly on alert for the next pandemic.

"One of these alerts is going to be the beginning of the next pandemic. Does this sound like that's what it is? Probably not. Can I guarantee that? Well, no," she said. "Something's going on, and until we sort out what it is, all of us need to be watching for it and trying to figure it out."

There's no reason for Canadians to change their plans to travel to Mexico, Dr. McGeer said.

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Canada, Mexico: Severe Respiratory Illness (SRI) Advisory Date: April 21, 2009.

Severe Respiratory Illness (SRI) Advisory Date: April 21, 2009

[Full PDF Document at this LINK. EDITED.]


From the office of the Medical Officer of Health


SRI Context:


The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has advised us of two recent situations of severe respiratory illness that remind us of the need for ongoing SRI surveillance and response. The first is in south and central Mexico where clusters of severe respiratory illness are occurring, with a high case fatality rate.


Individuals primarily affected are healthy young adults 25-44 years of age, including some HCWs.

Some cases have tested positive for influenza A and B.

The second situation involves the detection of two unrelated cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) in children in California ? the cases have recovered and did not require hospitalization. Human cases of avian H5N1 influenza continue to occur in Egypt, China and Vietnam (25 to date in 2009).

We are being asked by PHAC and Alberta Health & Wellness to continue to carry out surveillance for SRI as outlined below.


Phase Level: No Change
Pandemic Phase 3, SRI Phase 0

SRI Case Definition:
? Respiratory symptoms including history of fever >38?C and new onset of cough or breathing difficulty, with severe illness progression (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), encephalitis or other severe and life-threatening complications) and no alternate diagnosis within the first 72 hours of hospitalization;
AND
? A positive response to one of the following questions:
o ?Did you travel outside of Canada in the past 10 days?? OR
o ?Do you live with or were you in close contact with someone who has a similar illness and who traveled outside of Canada in the 10 days before he/she became sick??


Reporting Requirements: No Change
Emergency Departments, acute care facilities, urgent care centres ? Please report all suspect SRI cases to the Medical Officer of Health on Call at (403)264-5615 for further investigation and management.


Laboratory Rule-Out/Rule-In Tests: No Change
Notify receiving laboratory and arrange urgent transport of specimens, marking them as high priority with positive travel history. Copy all results to the Medical Officer of Health by fax (403)955-6755.
? NP Swab (Aspirate): Order Respiratory Virus Panel (DFA, NAT) on ProvLab requisition. Send in M5 Viral Transport medium (pink) that is stored at room temperature.
? Blood: Order Aerobic/Anaerobic Culture on CLS requisition. Order Mycoplasma IgM (collected in SST tube) on ProvLab requisition.
? Sputum: Order Gram Stain, Aerobic Culture on CLS requisition; order AFB (if indicated), Legionella on ProvLab requisition.
? BAL (if clinically indicated): Order Gram stain, micro C&S on CLS requisition; order AFB (if indicated), Legionella culture, Respiratory Virus Panel (DFA, NAT), CMV and HSV culture on ProvLab requisition.


Infection Control Recommendations: No Change
EMS Setting: Droplet and Contact Precautions
Acute Care Facility Setting: Droplet and Contact Precautions
For patients presenting with fever and cough:
? Advise to: cover mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; do frequent hand hygiene; stay 1 metre distant from others in waiting room (or isolate in private room); wear surgical/procedure mask if isolation not possible
For patients with fever/cough and more severe respiratory symptoms (e.g., shortness of breath), ask about:
? travel outside Canada within the last 10 days, or
? contact within last 10 days with a person with a similar illness who had traveled outside of Canada in the 10 days before they became ill.
If Yes to either question:
? Isolate immediately - negative pressure isolation is not required. If unable to isolate immediately, ask patient to wear a procedure/surgical mask and to minimize contact with others by staying 1 metre (3 feet) away from them.
? In addition to standard practice, staff in direct contact with the patient should don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for organisms spread by droplet and contact:
? Gloves, gowns, mask. [Procedure/surgical masks are considered adequate for routine care. N95 respirators should be used by staff for aerosol-producing procedures (e.g., intubation, bronchoscopy)].
? Hand hygiene must be done before and after use of gloves.
? Eye protection should be worn as standard practice to prevent exposure to respiratory droplets.


Additional References:
? Public Health Agency of Canada Travel Advisories: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/pub-eng.php
? Nasopharyngeal Swab Collection: (videos on how to collect these specimens are available at http://www.provlab.ab.ca/education.htm). Information sheet is at http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/mo...s_version2.pdf
-
-----

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Source: http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/04/23/9221806.html

Docs warned to look for ill tourists returning from Mexico
By THE CANADIAN PRESS
Last Updated: 23rd April 2009, 3:02pm

Public health units, quarantine officers and medical practitioners across the country have been warned to be on the lookout for illness in Canadians returning from Mexico.

The warning follows reports from that country of cases of severe respiratory illness, which in some cases has led to death.

Mexican authorities have insisted the outbreak is not an epidemic and that preventive measures are being taken to reduce the risk of transmission of disease. Mexican authorities have informed Canadian counterparts about the situation.

?We are aware of the reports and are looking into them,? said Andrew McDermott, a spokesperson for the Public Health Agency of Canada.

A spokesperson for the Pan American Health Organization ? the World Health Organization?s Americas branch ? said PAHO is also working with Mexican authorities to look into the reports.

?We?re co-operating with (Mexican) authorities on it,? Donna Eberwine-Villagran said from Washington.

?We have people in our field office in Mexico City and also in our border office working with Mexican authorities looking at the cases.?

The illnesses are said to have been occurring in south and central Mexico and involve mainly young, previously healthy adults. Some reports have suggested health-care workers have become ill.

Health authorities have been told some of the cases have tested positive for influenza, but some cases are influenza A and others are influenza B.

Dr. Arlene King, whose appointment as chief public health officer for Ontario was announced on Thursday, said an intensive epidemiological investigation is underway in Mexico to determine what, if anything, is going on there.

In the meantime, she said, Canada must be on the alert.

?We absolutely have to remain vigilant in the country around the situation in Mexico and globally,? said King, who is going to Ontario from the Public Health Agency of Canada, where she has been director general of the centre for immunization and respiratory infectious diseases.

?We need to be prepared for any emerging infectious disease threat that may occur outside of our borders. It?s absolutely fundamental,? she said.

King has been the federal agency?s point person on pandemic influenza planning.

An advisory from Toronto Public Health to health professionals said that given the severity of the illness, health care workers should be actively looking for cases of severe respiratory infection in people who have been in Mexico in the previous two weeks.

But the advisory stressed that there is no evidence the infections are caused by an unusual pathogen or a novel flu strain.

Mexican health officials held a news conference Wednesday to discuss the situation, putting the surge in illnesses down to end-of-season flu activity.

Mauricio Hernandez Avila, the undersecretary for health prevention and promotion, said the health department had initiated an active search for cases of serious pneumonia associated with the illness in the country, especially in the federal district that encompasses Mexico City.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Source: http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo...o_illness_090423/20090423/?hub=TorontoNewHome

Canadians told to be on alert for Mexico illness
Updated: Thu Apr. 23 2009 2:51:43 PM
CTV.ca News Staff

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo...o_illness_090423/20090423/?hub=TorontoNewHome

A mysterious and "severe" respiratory illness has surfaced in parts of Mexico and may be affecting some Canadians who recently vacationed there.

Canadians who have recently returned from Mexico are being warned they should be on alert for flu-like symptoms that could be connected to the illness, says an advisory sent by the Public Health Agency of Canada to health services across Canada.

PHAC contacted health and quarantine services on April 17 to inform them that Mexican health authorities had advised Canada of possible infections. PHAC has told Canadian quarantine services to be on alert for travellers returning from Mexico showing signs of illness.

The mystery illness has infected hundreds in south and central areas of Mexico, according to Mexican health officials, killing some and leaving others on ventilators. The Mexican health secretary has issued a national alert, following reports of numerous influenza deaths in the first three weeks of April.

The flu-like condition has so far affected healthy young adults between the ages 25 and 44. The victims showed influenza-like symptoms that progressed to "severe respiratory distress" within five days. Some health care workers have been affected.

Health officials say some specimens collected from the patients have tested positive for influenzas A and B.

The illness appears to have infected hundreds in south and central areas of Mexico, but not the tourist areas on the coast. According to a report in a Spanish-language newspaper in Mexico, the regions affected include: the capital region; San Luis Potos?; Oaxaca; and Baja, California.

At this point, no cases have been confirmed outside of Mexico. The Pan American Health Organization, the Americas branch of the World Health Organization, says it is working with Mexican authorities to monitor the situation.

Anyone who has returned from Mexico within the last two weeks and is suffering the following symptoms should contact a physician:

* fever
* cough
* sore throat
* shortness of breath
* muscle and joint pain

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Neil Rau tells CTV Newsnet that it appears that the illnesses in Mexico are simply seasonal flu illnesses, though virological and epidemiological studies are being conducted.

"In a few days, we will have more information after more lab tests are done," he said.

"The outstanding question is whether this is a more severe form of the garden-variety flu. The word pandemic certainly isn't being used yet. And a 'new virus' is not coming into the vernacular yet either."

At a press conference Wednesday, the Mexican undersecretary for Health Prevention and Promotion, Mauricio Hern?ndez ?vila said that while this year's flu season is stretching into April, the flu cases do not appear to indicate an epidemic. He noted that the cases appearing in young people may be a consequence of the fact that many of these people did not get the flu shot, which is typically given to children and the elderly, the highest risk groups.

Rau says he doesn't think this illness report should deter any Canadians from travelling to Mexico, but they should consult a travel health clinic at least six weeks before they travel.

"At this point, people going to Mexico should think about getting the flu shot, if they haven't had one already. But I don't think there is any preventative measure they can take unless Canada issues a travel alert saying not to go."

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Source: http://www.newsdurhamregion.com/news/life/article/124690

Local hospitals watching for Mexican flu-type illness

One patient being monitored at Rouge Valley Centenary hospital in Scarborough

Apr 23, 2009 - 03:22 PM
By Reka Szekely

DURHAM -- Local hospitals are keeping a lookout for a flu-type illness which has led to deaths in Mexico and the hospitalization of one Rouge Valley patient in Scarborough.

Ministry of Health officials are asking hospitals to watch for severe respiratory illnesses in patients recently returned from Mexico and report incidences to the local medical officer of health. Patients who fit a list of criteria released by the MOH are to be isolated.

Dave Brazeau, a spokesman for Rouge Valley Health Systems, said a bulletin regarding the illness has gone out.

"We shared that with all of our staff at both of our campuses," he said.

There have been no cases at the Ajax site, though a patient is under watch at the Scarborough Centenary Hospital.

"At this point, this patient is being closely monitored related to that alert," said Mr. Brazeau.

Since SARS, hospitals have been screening patients with flu-type illnesses; they've now added Mexico to the list of places to look out for, said Helen Gibson, director of infection prevention and control for Lakeridge Health. There are no cases at the Lakeridge hospital.

Ms. Gibson said all staff were notified on Tuesday about the situation and signs have gone up around the hospital as well. All patients admitted are asked if they've recently been to Mexico, since the country's south and central areas are a hot pocket for the illness.

"Which is hugely problematic because it's a tourist area and we know lots of people from Durham Region travel down to Mexico for vacation."

The ministry said the Mexican cases involved flu-like symptoms which rapidly became severe respiratory distress in about five days with many patients requiring ventilation. Some have died and most cases have occurred in previously healthy young adults aged 25 to 44.

Some samples have tested positive for A and B flu viruses, but it's unknown whether they're linked or the cases represent isolated incidents. The ministry said there is no evidence to suggest infection with an unusual pathogen including a novel strain of flu.

Ms. Gibson stressed that since the illness reportedly acts very quickly, people shouldn't ignore symptoms.

"What we'd really want to encourage people to do, if they have the fever, the chills, the coughs, they really need to plan on getting health care as quickly as possible," she said.

 

[alert]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

I strongly agree with tropical in post #7 - if several hundred cases of ARDS illness in many different outbreaks all over the country doesn't get a health alert, what does? Why hasn't the US CDC issued any guidance?

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

posted by Rickk at PFI . . .

The Canadian Broadcasting System radio news just reported that there are 10 people in the province of Ontario who have returned recently from Mexico with respiratory problems, they are being monitored. Provincial emergency medical services have been informed. . .

 

[Diane Morin]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

The doctor hygienist in chief of Ontario confirms that the province supervises closely ten travellers recently sunken of Mexico with respiratory important problems.


Ontario Tourisme
Avertissement au sujet d'une maladie respiratoire

Mise à jour le jeudi 23 avril 2009 à 16 h 22
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Imprimer


Les autorités de la santé canadiennes ont émis un avertissement au sujet d'une maladie respiratoire sévère qui a fait 20 morts au Mexique au cours des quatre dernières semaines.
Les symptômes s'apparentent à ceux de la grippe au début, mais dégénèrent en une grave maladie respiratoire en cinq jours.
L'Agence de la santé publique du Canada demande notamment aux travailleurs de santé de première ligne de rapporter immédiatement tout cas possible de maladie respiratoire chez les voyageurs qui se sont rendus récemment au Mexique. La consigne de placer ces patients en isolement a également été transmise.
On sait peu de choses de la maladie respiratoire qui serait en cause.
Prudence en Ontario

Dr David Williams, médecin hygiéniste en chef de l'Ontario


Le médecin hygiéniste en chef de l'Ontario confirme que la province surveille de près une dizaine de voyageurs récemment rentrés du Mexique avec d'importants problèmes respiratoires.

Le Dr David Williams indique que la province, qui a été aux prises avec la crise du SRAS en 2003, ne court aucun risque. Le personnel médical doit rapporter tous les cas de problème respiratoire diagnostiqués chez des gens qui reviennent du Mexique.

Les services médicaux d'urgence de Toronto font également preuve de prudence: les ambulanciers demandent aux patients s'ils ont visité le Mexique au cours des deux dernières semaines.

Certains bureaux de santé publique, dont celui de North Bay Parry Sound, ont déjà émis des avertissements à la population.

Situation au Mexique

Jeudi, le Mexique a émis une alerte nationale au sujet de cette maladie. Les malades représentent des symptômes s'apparentant à ceux de la grippe. L'infection respiratoire semble très virulente puisque les personnes atteintes doivent être branchées à des respirateurs. Une vingtaine de personnes sont mortes au Mexique depuis trois semaines et des centaines d'autres ont contracté la maladie. Durant cette période, le nombre de cas a augmenté de 40 %.

Les victimes étaient généralement des adultes en santé avant de contracter la maladie: elles étaient âgées de 15 à 45 ans.
Le centre et le sud du Mexique sont les deux régions les plus touchées. Les autorités sanitaires ignorent toujours la cause de la maladie. Certains tests préliminaires ont toutefois permis de détecter les souches A et B du virus de la grippe.


http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/Ontario/2009/04/23/004-avertissement-respiratoire_n.shtml

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Canada. Health warning for visitors to Mexico

Health warning for visitors to Mexico

Apr 23, 2009 04:37 PM

Doctors have been told by public health officials to cast their nets wide and take notice of people who come back from Mexico ill with severe respiratory problems, Ontario?s acting chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams told reporters at Queen?s Park.


But so far there are no Ontario cases linked to the public health crisis in Mexico. Hundreds of Mexicans have become infected with a severe respiratory illness of unknown origins and at least 20 people have died in a four-week period.

?We haven?t had any that have been directly tied to it, yet,? Williams told reporters this afternoon. ?We are heightening our awareness system, and the alertness system and asking our physicians to take any cases seriously.

?There is a case in the Cornwall area of a person whose illness is being investigated, Williams said, but added that person has since fully recovered.

?We haven?t ruled it out, we haven?t ruled it in either, it is under investigation,? he said.

Williams said fewer than 10 other cases of illness in Ontario are being investigated for links to the Mexican illness, but would not be more specific. Some of those cases include patients who have already recovered from cold-like symptoms, he said.

The flu-like symptoms that have been reported in young Mexicans from age 25 to 44 start off as severe respiratory problems and become worse as time passes with a high fever that lasts for days, said Williams.

Winnipeg?s national microbiology lab and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, are aiding in the Mexican investigation. ?We will get a wide variety of cases reported. That is fine. I would rather have more than less,? he said.

Many people from Ontario travel to Mexico every day. ?This is one of the main venues this time of year for Ontarians to go for vacation,? he said. ?We are getting reports from physicians who say, I had a person like that come in two weeks ago. We want those cases.?

People travelling to Mexico should get a flu shot and make sure their immunizations are up to date, he advised. ?If you travel at any time, it is standard you take normal precautions. Same as you do anywhere with coughing, cough etiquette, hand washing,? Williams said.

The illness appears to be flu-like with symptoms of fever, aches and pains, sore throats, coughing and trouble breathing, said Dr. Andrew Simor, head of microbiology and infectious diseases at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

People who have recently returned from Mexico and who are experiencing these symptoms are being asked to see a doctor.

It is not yet clear if the Mexican cases represent an outbreak due to a single organism or whether they represent a coincidental spike in isolated cases, said Simor. Some infected individuals in Mexico have tested positive for influenza A and B viruses.

?They don?t seem to be new strains at this time,? Simor said. ?This does not appear to the avian influenza or some other new strain.?

There have not yet been any reports of the illness outside Mexico, health officials say.

?At this point in time, the public needs to be reassured there really is no significant risk to people living in Ontario or living in Canada,? said Simor.

?And even the risk of travellers to Mexico at this point in time is exceedingly low.?

People should not alter vacation plans to Mexico at this time, he said. The reported cases are not in the tourist hot-spots along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

In Mexico, infected individuals first reported flu-like symptoms, which rapidly progressed to severe respiratory distress in about five days. Most cases occurred in previously healthy young adults between the ages of 25 and 44, according to public health reports.

Dr. Allison McGeer, director of infection control at Mount Sinai Hospital, also said there is little risk to Canadians at this time.

However, she said, the surveillance alerts from Mexico and the advisories sent by Canadian public health officials are the appropriate response to the cases of severe respiratory illness in Mexico. The response is due to lessons learned from SARS, she said.

?We are much more alert to potential new problems and we are moving a lot faster,? she said.
-
​

<cite cite="http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/623074">TheStar.com | News & Features | Health warning for visitors to Mexico</cite>

 

[Diane Morin]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Ten Ontario residents being observed for potentially deadly Mexican influenza


Neil Kumar 2009-04-23 19:20



There is concern for anyone who has recently vacationed in Mexico. Public health units and doctors across Canada are being warned to be on guard for cases of a mystery illness.


This follows reports from Mexico of several cases of severe respiratory illness, some have been fatal.

What does this mean for travellers? So far, ten Ontario residents are being examined for the mystery illness.

Any Canadian who have just returned from Mexico should be on alert for flu like symptoms that could be related to the illness.

The illness has surfaced in South and Central Mexico, including Mexico City.

David Caplan, Ontario's Minister of Health, told CityNews what to do if you think you're affected.

Caplan said,"One of the things to do is immediately contact the Public Health network , if you have any signs or symptoms."

Twenty people have died from the illness in Mexico. Health Officials are saying this is not an outbreak.

The affected patients in Mexico have tested positive for influenza A and B.

http://www.680news.com/more.jsp?content=20090423_191843_9444

 

[Diane Morin]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Swine flu cases in US, mystery ailment in Mexico have experts scrambling

1 hour ago

TORONTO — Concurrent outbreaks of swine flu in the southwestern United States and a mystery respiratory illness in Mexico had health authorities across the continent struggling Thursday to figure out what is unfolding.
Laboratories in Atlanta and Winnipeg are looking at clinical specimens trying to determine if the mounting number of human cases of swine flu in California and Texas and an unusual explosion of severe respiratory illnesses in Mexico are pieces of the same puzzle or unfortunate coincidences.

Even on its own the swine flu cases are enough to have experts wondering whether the world is watching the emergence of a pandemic virus.

But official pronouncements are being crafted with caution by authorities who remember all too well the 1976 swine flu scare - a feared pandemic that didn't materialize.

The World Health Organization, which has been monitoring the situation, said at this point it does not believe the world is closer to the first pandemic since the 1968 Hong Kong flu.

"We would not see any evidence yet for this being a phase change," said WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl, referring to the organization's six step pandemic alert scale.

The world is currently at phase 3 - occasional human cases with a novel flu virus - because of ongoing sporadic human infections with the H5N1 avian flu virus.

"We never want to overestimate or underestimate something, so we're following it closely," Hartl said from Geneva. "But as of the moment we see no evidence to change the global pandemic phase."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which earlier in the week revealed they had found two human cases of swine flu, announced that the number of confirmed cases has risen to seven with at least two family clusters of two cases apiece. The CDC said they expect to confirm more cases in coming days.

None of the cases have had direct contact with pigs and except for the family clusters the swine flu cases do not appear to have had contact with each other. Geographically the cases range from San Diego to San Antonio, a distance of nearly 3,000 kilometres.

"We believe at this point that human-to-human spread is occurring," said Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's national centre for immunization and respiratory diseases.

"That's unusual. We don't know yet how widely it's spreading. And we certainly don't know the extent of the problem."

No cases of this swine flu, which is caused by a genetically distinct virus, have been found in Canada, Canadian officials said.

Nor does it seem that any cases of an unusually severe respiratory illness plaguing parts of Mexico have turned up in this country, said Dr. Danielle Grondin, assistant deputy minister for the Public Health Agency of Canada.
One person from Ontario was ill after returning from Mexico but Grondin said it seemed unlikely the illness was related to the apparent outbreak, which is affecting mainly young, previously healthy adults.

Alerts that have been sent out to health providers and public health officials in Canada say 20 deaths have been associated with the outbreak, which seems to be centred around central Mexico and Mexico City.
Grondin said Canada would issue a travel advisory warning Canadians who plan to travel to Mexico of the problem.

And she said the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg is testing samples from Mexico looking for the cause or causes of the illnesses. Samples were also en route Thursday to the CDC's labs in Atlanta, said Dr. Nancy Cox, chief of the agency's influenza division.

A key test will be to see if any of the samples contain the unusual swine flu virus being found in the southeastern United States.

That virus is an influenza A virus, of the H1N1 subtype. CDC officials revealed Thursday that the virus is a hybrid, containing swine flu genes, avian flu genes and a single human flu gene.

"It will be critical to determine whether or not the strains of H1N1 isolated from patients in Mexico are also swine flu," said Dr. Donald Low, an infectious diseases specialist at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hKrwlM2yh12pNDe6_7gtuplU31Fw

 

[Diane Morin]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Health officials on watch after mystery Mexican outbreak







Ottawa Citizen/Vancouver Sun/Canwest News ServiceApril 23, 2009 8:29 PM

Ontario's chief medical officer said health authorities remain cautious as many Canadian travellers return from Mexico after 20 people have died there from an apparent severe respiratory illness.

Photograph by: Photo courtesy One & Only Palmilla., Canwest News Service file




Public health officials are on alert for flu-like symptoms among Canadians who recently travelled to Mexico, following the outbreak of an illness in that Latin American country that has killed 20 people.


However, Ontario Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Williams told a news conference in Toronto Thursday that no Canadians have been affected by the illness, which has surfaced in south and central regions of the vacation hot spot.


"(Canada) hasn't had any cases directly tied to it yet, but it doesn't mean we won't be vigilant looking for it," Williams said. "We will continue to look, in case it has any remote connection. We want to see if we can connect those dots correctly.


As a precaution, public health authorities, family physicians and hospitals across the country have been placed on high alert to look for any unusual flu-like symptoms in patients. The government's pandemic surveillance alert has also been increased to a state of high vigilance, but Ottawa has not as yet issued a travel ban to Mexico.


It is warning prospective Canadian travellers to be vigilant and to take precautions.


"There is no evidence as of now, that the illness in Mexico (is) an illness like SARS," said Dr. Danielle Grondin, acting assistant deputy minister at the Public Health Agency of Canada.


"It is serious in Mexico but nothing in Canada. At this point, there are no clusters of SRI in Canada. There are no health concerns for Canadians."

According to Grondin, what is known so far of the illness — often called severe respiratory illness (SRI) — is that it strikes healthy people aged 25-44 years, and quickly worsens.


A total of 137 people have been struck by the virus.


BEING OPTIONAL TRIM


However, a Cornwall, Ont., man who returned from Mexico with a mysterious illness is believed to be one of a handful of people in Ontario who may be linked to the respiratory ailment, provincial officials say.


Guy Simard, 47, was airlifted to an Ottawa hospital in late March and admitted into the hospital's intensive care unit, a hospital official said Thursday. Simard spent 11 nights in hospital before being released April 9.


During a news conference in Vancouver, Dr. Danuta Skowronski of the BC Centre for Disease Control said there have been reports of severe flu-like illness in B.C. but so far none has been linked to Mexico.

"We're doing our best to keep people informed while our investigation is ongoing," added Skowronski, an epidemiologist specializing in influenza and respiratory illness.


The flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, general aches and pains and shortness of breath, which quickly progresses to trouble breathing and severe respiratory illness, she said.


The affected areas of Mexico were Mexico City, San Luis Potosl, Oaxaca and Baja, Skowronski said.


Meanwhile, Dr. Arlene King, director general of the Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Diseases at the Public Health Agency of Canada, told the Toronto news conference that one of the lessons learned from the SARS outbreak in 2003 was the need for effective communications between various agencies and health-care providers.

Williams also stressed that a stringent record of any illnesses that might match the profile of the respiratory condition should be relayed to the proper authorities.


"We'd rather know more than less . . . we want to know all the details," he said. "That's why we're engaging our wider medical community at this time to active surveillance rather than passive surveillance.


"For (Mexico), it's early, and we're pleased they moved so quickly to inform their partners of what's going on. . . . That's to be applauded and that probably wouldn't have happened five or seven years ago."

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Heal...r+mystery+Mexican+outbreak/1527347/story.html

 

[Diane Morin]

Re: Canada on alert after respiratory illnesses reported in Mexico

Burke temporarily filling in

CROWN'S OFFICE: Simard still out of action

Posted By MICHAEL PEELING, MPEELING@STANDARD-FREEHOLDER.COM

Posted 7 days ago

Although Crown attorney Guy Simard is making a speedy recovery from a dangerous illness, the Director of Prosecutors for Eastern Ontario has assigned another lawyer to fulfill his duties in the meantime.

Filling Simard's boot is Jennifer Burke, a Cornwall native who has worked in the local Crown attorney's office since the mid-1990s, according to Murray MacDonald.

"It is an honour to act as Crown attorney for the United Counties (of S, D&G)," Burke said. "I look forward to the challenges and I am confident in the abilities of this office, given the considerable legal skills that the current Crown staff is blessed with."

With a long history of practising law in S, D&G, Burke says she feels she is well-informed about the jurisdictional demands of the area.

MacDonald said Simard, 47, is out of the hospital after suffering through a very serious bout of pneumonia. The illness forced doctors to have him hooked up to a ventilator for a time to help him breathe. He also received a blood transfusion.

"I'm pleased to report Guy is in very good spirits and showing signs of making a complete recovery," MacDonald said.

MacDonald pointed out Simard may suffer a permanent reduction in lung capacity due to the pneumonia, but the long-term effects remain to be seen.

How Simard became ill is unknown, but the possibility he took ill due to a recent trip to Mexico hasn't been ruled out.

When Simard will return to work hasn't been nailed down. MacDonald estimated it could take several weeks.

Burke wishes Simard a fast return to his job, but is ready to face the challenges of the role.

"I look forward to Guy's speedy recovery and return to the helm," Burke said. "I will also enjoy this opportunity to serve the public in a new and significant context."

http://www.standard-freeholder.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1525716