Severe Flu Cases Surge in Manitoba - Aboriginal Community Hit Hard

[alert]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

The Manitoba update mentioned TWO First Nations communities - here is the second.

http://crazybitchesrus.blogspot.com/2009/06/another-update-h1n1.html

Thursday, June 4, 2009
Another update H1N1
At the press conference yesterday Manitoba confirmed 27 new cases of H1N1.
Few details were provided regarding the areas of the province where the new cases were reported, other than that two of the three new cases are from two First Nations communities in the Burntwood health region.

I have been told by folks at Island Lake First Nation that they are the second First Nation commuity mentioned.

This tidbit from the Winnipeg Free Press regarding a worried neighbouring community where there's been no outbreak yet.
While public health officials have been bracing for additional cases since swine flu incited a worldwide pandemic scare in April, the latest cases have some communities worried they aren't ready for an outbreak.

Red Sucker Lake Chief Larry Knott is watching the outbreak of respiratory illness in St. Theresa Point closely, and said he worries his community won't be able to heed much of the preventative advice from public health practitioners. Handwashing is key to preventing the spread of influenza, but Knott said many residents don't have running water and must get fresh water in a pail from the lake. First Nations leaders have warned crowded homes and impoverished conditions leave reserves inadequately equipped to deal with a widespread disease outbreak. Red Sucker Lake is about 100 kilometres north of St. Theresa Point. "If it hits us, I'm pretty sure it'll hit us pretty hard," Knott said.

 

[alert]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Swine flu surge hits reserve

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority chief nursing officer Jan Currie said visits to city emergency rooms jumped to 1,000 visits a day this week -- up from the usual 800. She said hundreds of Winnipeggers are reporting flu-like symptoms at a time of year when influenza has usually fizzled out.

[
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/swine-flu-surge-hits-reserve-46897332.html

Now we know how the virus got to the remote First Nations communitites - it was widespread in Winnipeg for some time. Not really a surprise though, it is widespread in most of North America.

 

[HenryN]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

The Manitoba update mentioned TWO First Nations communities - here is the second.

http://crazybitchesrus.blogspot.com/2009/06/another-update-h1n1.html

Thursday, June 4, 2009
Another update H1N1
At the press conference yesterday Manitoba confirmed 27 new cases of H1N1.
Few details were provided regarding the areas of the province where the new cases were reported, other than that two of the three new cases are from two First Nations communities in the Burntwood health region.

I have been told by folks at Island Lake First Nation that they are the second First Nation commuity mentioned.

This tidbit from the Winnipeg Free Press regarding a worried neighbouring community where there's been no outbreak yet.
While public health officials have been bracing for additional cases since swine flu incited a worldwide pandemic scare in April, the latest cases have some communities worried they aren't ready for an outbreak.

Red Sucker Lake Chief Larry Knott is watching the outbreak of respiratory illness in St. Theresa Point closely, and said he worries his community won't be able to heed much of the preventative advice from public health practitioners. Handwashing is key to preventing the spread of influenza, but Knott said many residents don't have running water and must get fresh water in a pail from the lake. First Nations leaders have warned crowded homes and impoverished conditions leave reserves inadequately equipped to deal with a widespread disease outbreak. Red Sucker Lake is about 100 kilometres north of St. Theresa Point. "If it hits us, I'm pretty sure it'll hit us pretty hard," Knott said.

Updated map

<a rel="nofollow" href="http://flutracker.rhiza.com">Maps</a>

 

[HenryN]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

St. Theresa chief to give update on H1N1 outbreak

Staff Writer
4/06/2009 12:47 PM | Comments: 0

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<!--endclickprintexclude-->WINNIPEG - The chief of St. Theresa Point is holding a press conference this afternoon to discuss the number of confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in the northern community.
The meeting with Chief David McDougall is slated for 2 p.m. at the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs office on St. Mary Avenue.
McDougall said Wednesday that 20 residents of his community have been flown to Winnipeg suffering flu symptoms, including nearly a dozen children. Two women are in critical condition.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/br...to-give-update-on-H1N1-outbreak-46937062.html

 

[cartski]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Now we know how the virus got to the remote First Nations communitites - it was widespread in Winnipeg for some time. Not really a surprise though, it is widespread in most of North America.

Hmm...not sure about that. It only takes one person, granted. But info on the air travel to an from that area is needed, and the type of aircraft - Cesna, Otter - not many people.

It's still quite cool here, and downright cold in the last month up north. So the fly-in fishing outfits are likely not in full swing.

Look for conferences or regional school or hockey tournaments in the last month. That's just as likely, IMO, as a lone Winnipegger making the trip, (except for healthcare workers perhaps.)

J.

 

[alert]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Hmm...not sure about that. It only takes one person, granted. But info on the air travel to an from that area is needed, and the type of aircraft - Cesna, Otter - not many people.

It's still quite cool here, and downright cold in the last month up north. So the fly-in fishing outfits are likely not in full swing.

Look for conferences or regional school or hockey tournaments in the last month. That's just as likely, IMO, as a lone Winnipegger making the trip, (except for healthcare workers perhaps.)

J.

My guess is exactly the HCW. We know that at least 27 people from that community were evacuated to Winnipeg for reasons OTHER than respiratory illness. I think one of them must have had contact with either an ill HCW, or an H1N1 patient within the Winnipeg hospital. Either way, this patient returned home and infected everyone else.

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Red Sucker Lake Chief Larry Knott is watching the outbreak of respiratory illness in St. Theresa Point closely, and said he worries his community won't be able to heed much of the preventative advice from public health practitioners.

Handwashing is key to preventing the spread of influenza, but Knott said many residents don't have running water and must get fresh water in a pail from the lake.

First Nations leaders have warned crowded homes and impoverished conditions leave reserves inadequately equipped to deal with a widespread disease outbreak.

 

[alert]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

The official confirmation. Note the new information, including the red line that contracts an earlier post. Note also that the two confirmed cases are NOT the pregnant women.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/06/04/mb-swine-flu-first-nations.html

Remote Manitoba First Nation confirms 2 cases of swine flu
Last Updated: Thursday, June 4, 2009 | 2:36 PM CT Comments0Recommend0.
CBC News
Swine flu has been confirmed in two residents of the remote Manitoba community of St. Theresa Point First Nation.

Two people have tested positive for the H1N1 influenza A virus that has been spreading in North America and elsewhere since it first appeared in Mexico in April, Whelan Mason, deputy chief of St. Theresa Point First Nation, and other community health officials confirmed Thursday. The two people and 19 others with flu-like symptoms from the community of 3,200 people are currently hospitalized in Winnipeg.

In all, 200 people from the reserve, located about 500 kilometres from Winnipeg, have reported being ill in the past week. The majority of them are being treated in the community.

Consequently, four additional doctors and several more nurses have been sent there by the province. Mostly everyone in the community was wearing protective masks on Thursday ? including people working at the band office, in administration buildings and at the local store.

The school has been closed for several days, and public gatherings are forbidden.

The band council has been instructing residents on how to avoid spreading the virus, using local radio and television to get the message out.

Manitoba Health authorities announced Wednesday 27 new cases of the H1N1 virus have been identified in the province, including two on northern First Nations communities, but the health officials did not reveal which First Nations were affected.

Mason said he suspects there will be more cases of the virus in his community.

Of the 21 patients from the community in Winnipeg hospitals, two are in critical condition. They are women in their 20s, including one who was pregnant but has since miscarried.

Results of the H1N1 virus testing for the two women have not come back yet, according to Mason.

Manitoba aboriginal leaders are holding an emergency news conference Thursday on the flu situation on the St. Theresa First Nation.

 

[HenryN]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Actually, the testing itself really doesn't mean much. H1N1 has already been confirmed in the community, and all who are influenza A positive are almost certainly H1N1 infected (and if they test negative at this point, the negative will almost certainly be false).

The issue really is how sick the hospitalized patients are, as well as those who don't feel well.

 

[HenryN]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Paramedics may have been exposed to H1N1 flu

'I think we need to look at our whole system and re-evaluate how these calls come in.' - Tim Scharer, Winnipeg Paramedics Local 911.

Winnipeg (4 June 2009) -Two members from the Winnipeg Paramedics Local 911 may have been exposed to the H1N1 virus, while transporting patients to the Health Sciences Centre.
The patients were flown from St. Theresa Point First Nation to Winnipeg with a nurse, where they were picked up by a Winnipeg ambulance.
The paramedics are members of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union (MGEU/NUPGE).
Neither of the two paramedics has exhibited symptoms of the flu but all precautions have been taken to eliminate the risk of spreading the virus. Both were given a nasal swab and a deep cleaning of their ambulance was performed. They are now off duty and are waiting to hear if they have the virus.
The one frustrating part for everyone involved is why the paramedics were not informed of possible H1N1 exposure beforehand. Instead, they learned of the risk from Health Sciences Centre (HSC) staff once they had arrived.
All Winnipeg paramedics have been given full gowns, gloves and N95 masks to use when responding to these suspected cases. But in this particular instance, the chain of communication to warn them of potential exposure broke down at some point.
Don't point fingers
Tim Scharer, vice-president of Local 911, says the focus should not be on pointing fingers to find who?s to blame, but instead should be placed on improving the system to ensure members aren?t placed at risk again.
For a normal Winnipeg 911 call, the intake call goes through a number of questions by staff to diagnose the problem and screen for potential risks. Then it?s transferred to the dispatcher who can warn paramedics if any precautions are needed.
In this case, a nursing station and a private airline (which transported the patient) were involved, adding a number of links to the chain of communication and increasing the potential for error. This is something that Scharer would like to see changed.
?I think we need to look at our whole system and re-evaluate how these calls come in and how that information is relayed,? he says. ?Maybe one large intake centre for the entire province would help, perhaps there?s another solution. One way or another it?s important for us to improve the system.?
Last month, 41 residents of St. Theresa Point were transported to Winnipeg for medical care. At least 14 of those patients reported a respiratory illness. To date, there have been 38 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Manitoba.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE

http://www.nupge.ca/node/2344

 

[cartski]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

A news conference is currently (3:45 p.m. central) underway with Manitoba health officials - as reported on CBC radio 1. (likely available online)

J.

 

[alert]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Go ahead and post anything you learn. You definitely have faster access to the sources of information here because of your location.

 

[cartski]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

This is about Ontario; however, they often lead the health policy across the country - note the comments about testing.



Numbers don't measure full swine flu impact, says Ontario health official
Last Updated: Thursday, June 4, 2009 | 3:22 PM ET Comments25Recommend30CBC News

Swine flu has entered a new phase in Ontario as the virus continues to spread in some communities, a provincial health official said Thursday.

As of Wednesday, the number of reported cases in the province had jumped 25 per cent in the past three days. Since Monday, 179 cases were reported, mostly in the Greater Toronto Area, bringing the province's total to 894.

'It hasn't reached the phase six level where a large per cent of the population have it, and we're seeing doctors offices being overwhelmed with patients.'
? Dr. Michael Gardam"

"We need to shift from the number of cases," Dr. Michael Gardam, director of infectious diseases prevention and control at the Ontario Agency of Health Protection and Promotion, said in an interview with CBC News.

"We're in a funny phase right now, where I'm telling you that this is continuing to spread and we're measuring less, and that's normal.

"We don't need to measure anymore to know if this has spread into the community; it has. So now we're measuring in much broader terms to get a sense of how big an impact is this on the Ontario, or depending on where you are, the Canadian or the American population."

Testing everyone who has flu-like symptoms, asking about travel histories to Mexico and tracing anyone who has been in contact with a confirmed case no longer offer public health officials any valuable information.

Instead, testing for the H1N1 strain is only recommended for people who are sick enough to be hospitalized.

Since test results take a few days to get back, confirmation of H1N1 also doesn't offer any guidance to doctors deciding on how to treat patients. Rather, they base their treatment decisions on symptoms, underlying sickness and age.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2009/06/04/ontario-flu.html

 

[cartski]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

2 additional cases have just been confirmed - one from St. Theresa and one from Island Lake. Total = 40

CBC television will be doing a video report at 6:00 CST directly from St. Theresa Point.

[ that means transport in and out of the community is still going on. ]

200 cases reported in St. Theresa Point. Everyone is wearing masks.

The weather in Winnipeg is terrible - thunderstorms. {not that that is relevant, unless you're on a bike ;( }

J.

 

[alert]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

2 additional cases have just been confirmed - one from St. Theresa and one from Island Lake. Total = 40

CBC television will be doing a video report at 6:00 CST directly from St. Theresa Point.

[ that means transport in and out of the community is still going on. ]

200 cases reported in St. Theresa Point. Everyone is wearing masks.

The weather in Winnipeg is terrible - thunderstorms. {not that that is relevant, unless you're on a bike ;( }

J.

So by my count, there are three confirmed cases from St. Theresa Point and two at Island Lake. Although at this point, every febrile case in the community is likely due to this virus. Any word on the conditions of those hospitalized? As far as stopping transport, I think that would be like closing the barn door after the animals have gotten out. The virus is already widespread. There would be little benefit in quarantining the town.

 

[cartski]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

St. Theresa Point is broadcasting advice through local radio and television networks.

Ham radio used to be well used in the north. Likely there is online communication now.

J.

 

[Diane Morin]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Confirmed Cases of H1N1 Flu in Manitoba


As of June 4, 2009
<TABLE cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#015e3f colSpan=2>Health Region</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>Assiniboine</TD><TD width=98 bgColor=#b3c98b>

0​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>Brandon</TD><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

5​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>Burntwood</TD><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

4​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>Central</TD><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

0​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>Churchill </TD><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

0​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>Interlake</TD><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

0​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>Nor-Man</TD><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

3​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>North Eastman</TD><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

0​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>Parkland</TD><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

1​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>South Eastman</TD><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

1​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#b3c98b>Winnipeg</TD><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

26​

</TD></TR><TR><TD width=420 bgColor=#015e3f>Total</TD><TD bgColor=#015e3f>

40​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
For more information on the H1N1Flu, please click here:

• www.gov.mb.ca/flu

<TABLE cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD bgColor=#015e3f>To reach staff and for general inquiries:</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#b3c98b>

Public Health Division
Manitoba Health
4th Floor - 300 Carlton St.
Winnipeg MB R3B 3M9 CANADA
Phone: (204) 788-6666​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/sri/cases.html

 

[alert]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Not that it really matters, but cartski's report in #94 would put both new cases in Burntwood, where the report posted by Muscade puts one of them in Winnipeg.

I think there are probably three overall new confirmations, but it really doesn't matter.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Source: http://www.cjob.com/News/Local/Story.aspx?ID=1100043
Click above to access audio

Chief Connects Flu To Living Conditions
CJOB's Clay Young reporting
6/4/2009

The Chief of a Northern Manitoba Reserve is lashing out at the housing conditions in his community that he believes is a factor in an outbreak of a flu like virus. 2 cases of H1-N1 Flu virus are now confirmed at the St. Theresa Point First Nation and 21 other people have been sent to Winnipeg Hospitals with flu like symptoms. Chief David McDougall says based on how his people have to live, it's no wonder there's been an outbreak of sickness.


The Province and federal governments have sent more doctors and nurses to the reserve which is 500 kilometers northeast of Winnipeg.*

 

[alert]

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

Re: Novel H1N1 flu outbreak hits isolated First Nations reserve

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/06/04/mb-emergency-departments-winnipeg.html

Winnipeg emergency departments experience spike in visits
Last Updated: Thursday, June 4, 2009 | 3:22 PM CT Comments0Recommend0.
CBC News
The number of daily visits to Winnipeg emergency departments has increased by 25 per cent in the last month, and almost all of the 80 intensive care beds are full, a provincial health official says.

Jan Currie, chief nursing officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, said the increase ? to 1,000 visits from 800 ? includes several patients with respiratory illnesses. Many of them require ventilators, but only a few have been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, she said.

Keeping the hospitals staffed has been challenging because some nurses and medical support staff have also been sick, Currie added.

"We don't want them to come to work if they are sick ? just like anyone in the general population ? so some staff are working overtime and we are seeing both critical care and emergency departments, you know, very busy," she said, adding it is unusual to see so many people with flu-like symptoms at this time of the year.

An outbreak of a flu-like illness has also struck a remote northern Manitoba First Nation. About 200 people from St. Theresa Point, located about 500 kilometres from Winnipeg, have reported being ill in the past week.

The majority of them are being treated in the community, but 21 people with severe symptoms have been transported to Winnipeg hospitals. Two women from the community, both in their 20s, are listed in critical condition. One of the women was pregnant but has since miscarried.

Community officials in St. Theresa Point confirmed on Thursday that two residents have tested positive for swine flu. Those positive results did not come from the two critical women, whose tests have not yet come back.