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Source: http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/63703222.html
H1N1 Flu death reported in the Interior Health region
Interior Health
By Craig Lindsay - Kootenay News Advertiser
Published: October 07, 2009 2:00 PM
Updated: October 07, 2009 3:06 PM
On October 7, Interior Health confirmed the death of an adult between the ages of 20 and 50 from the Interior region. IHA have not released the specific gender, age and residence of the deceased.
"There were underlying health conditions which made the person more at risk," said Dr. Rob Parker, Medical Health Officer with IHA.
The death is the second in the Interior region related to the H1N1 Virus. There have been nine hospitalizations in the Interior region due to H1N1. In all of British Columbia there have been 64 cases of H1N1 hospitalizations and six related deaths from H1N1. The Interior Health Authority covers the Thompson/Cariboo, Okanagan, Kootenay/Boundary and the East Kootenay.
"We are expecting to offer a pandemic vaccine in early November," said Parker. The provincial government has ordered enough doses to ensure that everyone who needs and wants the vaccine will be able to receive it.
Parker also said that 25 schools in the region have reported a absentee rate of greater than 10%. "Normally we don't see that in September," said Parker. "We don't see it normally until flu season in January."
Parker urges residents to stay home if they are sick. Pregnant women, Aboriginal people, and adults and children with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of more serious illness and complications from the H1N1 flu and should talk to their family doctor if they feel they are getting sick.
"People can get prescriptions for TamiFlu in advance," said Parker. "And at the first sign of illness you can get it filled."
People with serious symptoms can call the B.C. Nurse Line at 8-1-1 from anywhere and a nurse will go through your symptoms. People can also receive telephone advice from physicians as an alternative to visiting a doctor's office.
Symptoms related to the H1N1 flu virus are very similar to those of seasonal flu, including cough, fever, general aches, and fatigue. These symptoms may last up to ten days or longer for some people.
"The most effective way you can protect yourself is to wash your hands often for at least fifteen seconds with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer if you aren't near a sink," said Dr. Andrew Larter, Senior Medical Health Officer at IHA. "Be sure to sneeze and cough into your sleeve or a tissue and , if you or your children do get sick, stay home from work or school so you don't get others sick."
H1N1 Flu death reported in the Interior Health region
Interior Health
By Craig Lindsay - Kootenay News Advertiser
Published: October 07, 2009 2:00 PM
Updated: October 07, 2009 3:06 PM
On October 7, Interior Health confirmed the death of an adult between the ages of 20 and 50 from the Interior region. IHA have not released the specific gender, age and residence of the deceased.
"There were underlying health conditions which made the person more at risk," said Dr. Rob Parker, Medical Health Officer with IHA.
The death is the second in the Interior region related to the H1N1 Virus. There have been nine hospitalizations in the Interior region due to H1N1. In all of British Columbia there have been 64 cases of H1N1 hospitalizations and six related deaths from H1N1. The Interior Health Authority covers the Thompson/Cariboo, Okanagan, Kootenay/Boundary and the East Kootenay.
"We are expecting to offer a pandemic vaccine in early November," said Parker. The provincial government has ordered enough doses to ensure that everyone who needs and wants the vaccine will be able to receive it.
Parker also said that 25 schools in the region have reported a absentee rate of greater than 10%. "Normally we don't see that in September," said Parker. "We don't see it normally until flu season in January."
Parker urges residents to stay home if they are sick. Pregnant women, Aboriginal people, and adults and children with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of more serious illness and complications from the H1N1 flu and should talk to their family doctor if they feel they are getting sick.
"People can get prescriptions for TamiFlu in advance," said Parker. "And at the first sign of illness you can get it filled."
People with serious symptoms can call the B.C. Nurse Line at 8-1-1 from anywhere and a nurse will go through your symptoms. People can also receive telephone advice from physicians as an alternative to visiting a doctor's office.
Symptoms related to the H1N1 flu virus are very similar to those of seasonal flu, including cough, fever, general aches, and fatigue. These symptoms may last up to ten days or longer for some people.
"The most effective way you can protect yourself is to wash your hands often for at least fifteen seconds with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer if you aren't near a sink," said Dr. Andrew Larter, Senior Medical Health Officer at IHA. "Be sure to sneeze and cough into your sleeve or a tissue and , if you or your children do get sick, stay home from work or school so you don't get others sick."