Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1661878
Chief urges calm after Six Nations H1N1 case
Posted By SUSAN GAMBLE
Posted 1 hour ago
Chief Coun. Bill Montour is calling on residents to remain calm with the news that one mild case of H1N1 influenza has been confirmed on Six Nations.
"People are still afraid of this H1N1 thing and they don't understand how it works," Montour said Friday.
In a news release, Montour condemned "acts of aggression against unfortunate community members who have contracted this influenza at no fault of their own," saying they won't be tolerated.
Montour said his comments refer to the news that someone had targeted a family they believed had a child sick with H1N1 and burned its mailbox.
"It's one of the stupidest things they could do," said the exasperated chief.
"It's not like these people had a choice or brought this into the community on purpose."
Instead, the chief and band council are calling for people to use common sense and simple precautions like increased hand washing.
There are currently six confirmed cases of H1N1 in Brant County but this new case is the first on Six Nations.
Infectious diseases supervisor Ruth Gratton said Friday that the actual number of cases is likely much higher than six but, because many are mild, they aren't confirmed by laboratory testing.
"The message has gone out that we're only to do testing when people are hospitalized or if they have certain risk factors and need physician treatment, so that's why there's no new cases being reported," said Gratton.
On Six Nations, the confirmed case was at a day-care centre. Parents got a letter advising them of the infection, letting them know the centre was going to increase disinfecting procedures and listing symptoms to watch for.
"We were obliged not to close the centre," said Montour, adding that everything was being done to reduce the risk of others catching the influenza.
"We're very well-prepared to deal with this. Six Nations has always been working on its emergency response plan and our staff is ready to deal with all kinds of calamity: weather, accidents and disease."
He worked to reassure parents at a public meeting Thursday night, along with native public health and health services workers.
Montour said there's no way for people to guess who may or may not be carrying the H1N1 infection in a public gathering. He asked residents to support each other.
"Unknown factors can create a boogie man so people should educate themselves. I heard last night that someone thought we bought 300 body bags, which is ridiculous."
In an extensive news release posted on the administration's website -- www.sixnations.ca -- Montour urges people to frequently wash their hands, cough into their sleeves and practise good health habits involving good food, lots of water and sleep and not smoking.
The website also posts the band's extensive emergency preparedness handbook for H1N1. Montour noted that all experts expect another wave of H1N1 in the fall. "We learned a great deal with SARS and Six Nations is far more prepared for this than many o2thercommunities."
Health Services and Public Health workers met with the Grand River Powwow committee to talk about preventative actions that can be taken during next weekend's festival, which could attract as many at 10,000 people.
The band's H1N1 booklet will be delivered by mail to the community and can be picked up at the administration building after July 24.
Chief urges calm after Six Nations H1N1 case
Posted By SUSAN GAMBLE
Posted 1 hour ago
Chief Coun. Bill Montour is calling on residents to remain calm with the news that one mild case of H1N1 influenza has been confirmed on Six Nations.
"People are still afraid of this H1N1 thing and they don't understand how it works," Montour said Friday.
In a news release, Montour condemned "acts of aggression against unfortunate community members who have contracted this influenza at no fault of their own," saying they won't be tolerated.
Montour said his comments refer to the news that someone had targeted a family they believed had a child sick with H1N1 and burned its mailbox.
"It's one of the stupidest things they could do," said the exasperated chief.
"It's not like these people had a choice or brought this into the community on purpose."
Instead, the chief and band council are calling for people to use common sense and simple precautions like increased hand washing.
There are currently six confirmed cases of H1N1 in Brant County but this new case is the first on Six Nations.
Infectious diseases supervisor Ruth Gratton said Friday that the actual number of cases is likely much higher than six but, because many are mild, they aren't confirmed by laboratory testing.
"The message has gone out that we're only to do testing when people are hospitalized or if they have certain risk factors and need physician treatment, so that's why there's no new cases being reported," said Gratton.
On Six Nations, the confirmed case was at a day-care centre. Parents got a letter advising them of the infection, letting them know the centre was going to increase disinfecting procedures and listing symptoms to watch for.
"We were obliged not to close the centre," said Montour, adding that everything was being done to reduce the risk of others catching the influenza.
"We're very well-prepared to deal with this. Six Nations has always been working on its emergency response plan and our staff is ready to deal with all kinds of calamity: weather, accidents and disease."
He worked to reassure parents at a public meeting Thursday night, along with native public health and health services workers.
Montour said there's no way for people to guess who may or may not be carrying the H1N1 infection in a public gathering. He asked residents to support each other.
"Unknown factors can create a boogie man so people should educate themselves. I heard last night that someone thought we bought 300 body bags, which is ridiculous."
In an extensive news release posted on the administration's website -- www.sixnations.ca -- Montour urges people to frequently wash their hands, cough into their sleeves and practise good health habits involving good food, lots of water and sleep and not smoking.
The website also posts the band's extensive emergency preparedness handbook for H1N1. Montour noted that all experts expect another wave of H1N1 in the fall. "We learned a great deal with SARS and Six Nations is far more prepared for this than many o2thercommunities."
Health Services and Public Health workers met with the Grand River Powwow committee to talk about preventative actions that can be taken during next weekend's festival, which could attract as many at 10,000 people.
The band's H1N1 booklet will be delivered by mail to the community and can be picked up at the administration building after July 24.