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Source: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/07/09/mb-paramedics-swine-flu-winnipeg.html
Paramedics prep for swine flu surge in fall
Last Updated: Thursday, July 9, 2009 | 11:55 AM CT
CBC News
Winnipeg paramedics are stepping up efforts to prepare for the possibility of a fall resurgence of swine flu by hiring additional staff while the federal government plugs away at a vaccine.
Chris Broughton, president of the Manitoba Government Employees Union Local 911, said paramedics are a bit apprehensive over the possibility of swine flu ? also known as H1N1 influenza A virus ? mutating and hitting the public harder in the fall.
"Our concerns are the same as the concerns that health care [officials have] for the fall, in that the flu that we're seeing now could potentially worsen," he said. "We're looking at increases in call volume and essentially workloads for paramedics in Winnipeg."
This is the first time in his recollection that paramedics are being proactive in anticipation of a health emergency, added Broughton.
"It's unprecedented but I applaud the fire paramedic service for taking those steps now," he said.
As paramedics are on the front lines of exposure to the flu, Broughton said they are working to enhance protective measures for staff. Despite those efforts, he estimates 30 to 40 per cent of paramedics in the city may end up taking time off with flu-like illnesses.
So far, no paramedics have come down with confirmed cases of H1N1, although there was concern for a couple of emergency medical technicians who transported northern Manitoba patients suspected of having swine flu in early June.
The EMTs, who picked up the patients after they had been flown to the airport in Winnipeg, weren't given advance warning about the possibly infectious disease and, consequently, weren't wearing the necessary protective gear. Tests on the paramedics came back negative for the virus.
In an effort to combat H1N1, the federal government is bringing flu experts from the public and private sector together to do vaccine research. Canada, Britain and France have signed contracts with pharmaceutical firms guaranteeing them access to a pandemic vaccine, when one is available.
If there is a proven swine flu vaccine in place by this fall, the federal government said every Canadian would have access to it. The H1N1 flu vaccine shot would be on top of the normal seasonal flu shot, which public health officials are also recommending.
In June, Swiss drug maker Novartis AG said an experimental swine flu vaccine could be on the market by the fall.
Paramedics prep for swine flu surge in fall
Last Updated: Thursday, July 9, 2009 | 11:55 AM CT
CBC News
Winnipeg paramedics are stepping up efforts to prepare for the possibility of a fall resurgence of swine flu by hiring additional staff while the federal government plugs away at a vaccine.
Chris Broughton, president of the Manitoba Government Employees Union Local 911, said paramedics are a bit apprehensive over the possibility of swine flu ? also known as H1N1 influenza A virus ? mutating and hitting the public harder in the fall.
"Our concerns are the same as the concerns that health care [officials have] for the fall, in that the flu that we're seeing now could potentially worsen," he said. "We're looking at increases in call volume and essentially workloads for paramedics in Winnipeg."
This is the first time in his recollection that paramedics are being proactive in anticipation of a health emergency, added Broughton.
"It's unprecedented but I applaud the fire paramedic service for taking those steps now," he said.
As paramedics are on the front lines of exposure to the flu, Broughton said they are working to enhance protective measures for staff. Despite those efforts, he estimates 30 to 40 per cent of paramedics in the city may end up taking time off with flu-like illnesses.
So far, no paramedics have come down with confirmed cases of H1N1, although there was concern for a couple of emergency medical technicians who transported northern Manitoba patients suspected of having swine flu in early June.
The EMTs, who picked up the patients after they had been flown to the airport in Winnipeg, weren't given advance warning about the possibly infectious disease and, consequently, weren't wearing the necessary protective gear. Tests on the paramedics came back negative for the virus.
In an effort to combat H1N1, the federal government is bringing flu experts from the public and private sector together to do vaccine research. Canada, Britain and France have signed contracts with pharmaceutical firms guaranteeing them access to a pandemic vaccine, when one is available.
If there is a proven swine flu vaccine in place by this fall, the federal government said every Canadian would have access to it. The H1N1 flu vaccine shot would be on top of the normal seasonal flu shot, which public health officials are also recommending.
In June, Swiss drug maker Novartis AG said an experimental swine flu vaccine could be on the market by the fall.