http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/586208
Flu outbreak spreading rapidly through Hamilton
June 19, 2009
Paul Morse
The Hamilton Spectator
A large outbreak of influenza A suspected to be swine flu is now spreading rapidly in Hamilton, health officials say.
The public school board has triggered the first phase of its swine flu strategy for the first time, board officials confirmed this afternoon.
The leading edges of the outbreak are Ryerson Elementary School and an as-yet unidentified Catholic elementary school. A third school in the city is being looked at as a possible flu outbreak.
Public board officials say 24 students at Ryerson on Robinson Street have been infected with the type A respiratory virus.
?All the cases in Hamilton have been mild,? said Dr. Chris Mackie, Hamilton?s associate medical officer of health.
Although it has not been confirmed, Mackie said it?s most likely the outbreak is swine flu because 95 per cent of flu currently in the province is H1N1.
The public board is sending in disinfection teams tonight and tomorrow to sanitize furniture, said operations superintendent John Forbeck.
?We will also have a handwashing station set up in the school?s lobby on Monday,? he said. ?We?re going to reinforce with students the proper routines of handwashing.?
There are currently 183 cases of the H1N1 flu virus confirmed in Halton Region.
Of these 183 cases, 139 are students attending 44 different schools in Halton, 26 of which are in Oakville. Each municipality in Halton Region has confirmed cases and each municipality has at least one school with a confirmed case.
pmorse@thespec.com
905-526-3434
Flu outbreak spreading rapidly through Hamilton
June 19, 2009
Paul Morse
The Hamilton Spectator
A large outbreak of influenza A suspected to be swine flu is now spreading rapidly in Hamilton, health officials say.
The public school board has triggered the first phase of its swine flu strategy for the first time, board officials confirmed this afternoon.
The leading edges of the outbreak are Ryerson Elementary School and an as-yet unidentified Catholic elementary school. A third school in the city is being looked at as a possible flu outbreak.
Public board officials say 24 students at Ryerson on Robinson Street have been infected with the type A respiratory virus.
?All the cases in Hamilton have been mild,? said Dr. Chris Mackie, Hamilton?s associate medical officer of health.
Although it has not been confirmed, Mackie said it?s most likely the outbreak is swine flu because 95 per cent of flu currently in the province is H1N1.
The public board is sending in disinfection teams tonight and tomorrow to sanitize furniture, said operations superintendent John Forbeck.
?We will also have a handwashing station set up in the school?s lobby on Monday,? he said. ?We?re going to reinforce with students the proper routines of handwashing.?
There are currently 183 cases of the H1N1 flu virus confirmed in Halton Region.
Of these 183 cases, 139 are students attending 44 different schools in Halton, 26 of which are in Oakville. Each municipality in Halton Region has confirmed cases and each municipality has at least one school with a confirmed case.
pmorse@thespec.com
905-526-3434