Health unit confirms H1N1-related child death in Timmins

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2120982


Health unit confirms H1N1-related death in Timmins
Posted By The Daily Press


Porcupine Health Unit has received confirmation of one H1N1 related death in Timmins.

Tuesday, the health unit was notified that tests on two individuals were positive for the H1N1 subtype of influenza A in Timmins.

Dr. Susan Kaczmarek, the Medical Officer of Health for the Porcupine Health Unit, said: ?We have been informed that these tests were conducted on two male adolescents. One of these individuals was hospitalized and we learned this morning that this young person has passed away. The second individual is recovering at home.?
The health unit will be working with area schools and school boards to assist them in providing information about the H1N1 virus to concerned staff, students and parents.

Dr. Kaczmarek says that the Porcupine Health Unit is receiving a lot of questions about H1N1.

?It is important for people to know that most people will have a typical course of influenza,? she said.

?They will be sick for a few days with a cough and fever and then recover. Although H1N1 is a relatively mild strain of influenza A, influenza can still be a serious illness, especially for people with conditions that increase their risk for complications. Those with risk factors may have a more severe illness.?

Understandably, parents will be concerned about sending their children to school. Dr. Kaczmarek responds that H1N1, like all influenza, is generally a ?community acquired disease?. This means that ?people can be exposed to this virus practically anywhere. However, there are many steps people can take to protect themselves and their families.?

Lynn Leggett, Manager of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Services, advises the following:

? Wash your hands often and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds in warm, soapy water or use hand sanitizer.

? Cough and sneeze in your sleeve, not your hand.

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? Keep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected.

? Stay home if you`re sick, and call your health care provider if your symptoms get worse.

Dr. Kaczmarek notes that it is also very important for people at risk of complications to contact their health care provider as soon as possible if they develop flu symptoms. These include children under the age of five (especially those under the age of two years), women who are pregnant and people with chronic conditions.
Article ID# 2120982

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Health unit confirms H1N1-related child death in Timmins

Source: http://www.680news.com/news/headlines/more.jsp?content=20091014_164821_8204


NOnt. boy, 15, dies after contracting H1N1 virus, second boy recovering
The Canadian Press TIMMINS, Ont. | Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 4:48 pm


TIMMINS, Ont. - A 15-year-old boy in Timmins, Ont., has died after contracting the H1N1 virus, the first such death reported in the northern Ontario city.

Dr. Susan Kaczmarek, the medical officer of health for the Porcupine Health Unit, says it's uncertain if he had any pre-existing medical conditions.

A second 15-year-old boy diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, is recovering at home.

Kaczmarek released the information on Wednesday but did not say when the boy died.

Six people in the area have been diagnosed with H1N1 to date.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Health unit confirms H1N1-related child death in Timmins

Source: http://www.timminstimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2127664


Timmins Times
Friends and family mourn the death of H1N1 victim Justin Bouvier
Updated 27 mins ago

Young Justin Bouvier of Timmins is being remembered and mourned by family and friends today as an easy-going friendly guy with ?an infectious smile.?

The 15-year-old Timmins boy died at the Timmins and District Hospital on Wednesday. There is the possibility that his death is a direct result of the H1N1 influenza virus since he had tested positive for that virus before being hospitalized.

Bouvier, a student at O'Gorman High School, had what health unit officials describe a longstanding illness previously unrelated to any flu virus. The health unit says further testing will be required to confirm the precise cause of death.

Bouvier was confined to a wheelchair and was also well-known in the community as a child ambassador for Easter Seals.

His death has hit the community hard, not only because it has sparked fears about the flu virus in general, but because it has taken the life of the popular teen.

A Facebook sympathy page has been created so that friends and schoolmates at O'Gorman can post their remembrances. Dozens of people have already left messages.

One person wrote:?Justin was just a great kid, and got along well with every one, it must have been his infectious smile.?

Another student remembered Bouvier for the fact that he was able to help others who struggled with some of their classes.

A published obituary notice indicates Bouvier is survived by his mother Lorri-Anne, five sisters and a brother. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Miron-Wilson funeral home, with visitations on Friday. A funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony's Cathedral at 12:00 noon on Saturday. The notice suggested that memoriam donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada.

In announcing the news of his death this week, Dr. Susan Kaczmarek, the Medical Officer of Health for the Porcupine Health Unit, said, ?We have been informed that these tests were conducted on two male adolescents. One of these individuals was hospitalized and we learned (Wednesday) this morning that this young person has passed away. The second individual is recovering at home.? The health unit will be working with area schools and school boards to assist them in providing information about the H1N1 virus to concerned staff, students and parents, said the health unit news release.

According to the release, Dr. Kaczmarek says that the Porcupine Health Unit is receiving a lot of questions about H1N1.

She adds, ?It is important for people to know that most people will have a typical course of influenza. They will be sick for a few days with a cough and fever and then recover. Although H1N1 is a relatively mild strain of influenza A, influenza can still be a serious illness, especially for people with conditions that increase their risk for complications. Those with risk factors may have a more severe illness.?

Understandably, parents will be concerned about sending their children to school, said the health unit release. Dr. Kaczmarek responds that H1N1, like all influenza, is generally a ?community acquired disease?, meaning people can be exposed to this virus practically anywhere.

Glen Sheculski, the director of education for the English catholic school board, says there is no need for alarm among parents. He said they can be assured that the school and the school board is taking precautions.

?I hope there would be confidence in what we are doing at the school to ensure that the virus doesn't spread any further,? Sheculski said Thursday morning. He added there is a cleaning staff at the school that knows how to clean things properly.

He also pointed that the health unit has described the flu as a community acquired virus. ?So if you're not at school and you go to the mall or where ever you could conceivably contract this anywhere within the community itself,? Sheculski said.
Article ID# 2127664

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Health unit confirms H1N1-related child death in Timmins

Absentee rate up following H1N1 death

OUTBREAK

Posted By THOMAS PERRY THE DAILY PRESS

Posted 5 hours ago

The death of a 15-year-old O'Gorman High School student who had been suffering from the H1N1 virus on Wednesday has increased the concerns of some Timmins parents.

An anonymous fax sent to The Daily Press Wednesday evening suggested the author was going to keep his two daughters home from school.
Northeastern Catholic District School Board director of education Glenn Sheculski acknowledged the absentee rate at the school is "higher than normal," but he said there is no indication the figure is higher because of parents keeping their children home from school.

He would not divulge the level of absenteeism, nor comment on how it would compare to a normal mid-October rate.

"I am sure there might be some panic out there," he said. "But H1N1 is not specific to the school, I would hope parents would make informed decisions."

Sheculski pointed out that students kept home from class could still come into contact with the virus almost anywhere they go.

He said the board has sent home information on the H1N1 virus for parents of students at all of its schools to read and also met with officials from the Porcupine Health Unit.

"We have hand sanitizers in all of the classrooms and have been doing everything possible to keep the transfer of germs from occurring," Sheculski said.

He added that parents should not be any more concerned about their children attending classes than they would be going to the mall, or any other public facility.

"There would be no point in closing down the school and having it professionally disinfected," Sheculski said, noting any benefits would be lost as soon as students and staff - who could have potentially been exposed to the virus in the community -returned to classrooms.

Sheculski could not comment on whether or not the second teenager infected with the H1N1 virus -- recovering at home -- is also an O'Gorman student, citing board policy regarding the release of information on any of its students.

http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2133593