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Source: http://www.tbnewswatch.com/News/?cid=60459
Health Unit may join Ontario swine flu tracking
By Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch
A fifth confirmed case of the swine flu virus in the city will likely thrust the Thunder Bay District Health Unit into taking more preventative measures.
Ken Allan, director of health protection at TBDHU, said they are looking at joining an Ontario-wide initiative tracking the spread of the H1N1 flu.
"At this time we are looking at participating in the provincial surveillance program and we will be making summary information known at the end of each week," Allan said in an interview Monday morning at his office.
When the outbreak first reached the pandemic stage, TBDHU issued daily releases, despite no local cases. Allan said the switch to weekly reports brings about a consistency that matches what other health units around the province are doing.
What they?re not sure of is exactly how the five patients came in contact with the virus, which is spread through human contact and is believed to have originated in Mexico earlier this year.
More than 94,000 suspected cases have been identified world-wide by the World Health Organization, leading to 436 deaths.
"It?s very difficult to say (how they got it). As you know, H1N1 virus is circulating widely. We?re looking at several cases across the country and several thousand in the province of Ontario," he said.
Allan said it?s also likely that many cases in the province are going unnoticed. Symptoms include several associated with seasonal influenza viruses, including achy joints, tiredness and fever.
"It?s quite likely, give we have seen spread in the province. At this time most of the cases seem to be mild," Allan said.
It?s back to the basics when it comes to prevention, he added.
"Wash your hands. If you feel unwell, stay at home and cover your cough."
The WHO expects to have a vaccine to fight the disease ready by September
Health Unit may join Ontario swine flu tracking
By Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch
A fifth confirmed case of the swine flu virus in the city will likely thrust the Thunder Bay District Health Unit into taking more preventative measures.
Ken Allan, director of health protection at TBDHU, said they are looking at joining an Ontario-wide initiative tracking the spread of the H1N1 flu.
"At this time we are looking at participating in the provincial surveillance program and we will be making summary information known at the end of each week," Allan said in an interview Monday morning at his office.
When the outbreak first reached the pandemic stage, TBDHU issued daily releases, despite no local cases. Allan said the switch to weekly reports brings about a consistency that matches what other health units around the province are doing.
What they?re not sure of is exactly how the five patients came in contact with the virus, which is spread through human contact and is believed to have originated in Mexico earlier this year.
More than 94,000 suspected cases have been identified world-wide by the World Health Organization, leading to 436 deaths.
"It?s very difficult to say (how they got it). As you know, H1N1 virus is circulating widely. We?re looking at several cases across the country and several thousand in the province of Ontario," he said.
Allan said it?s also likely that many cases in the province are going unnoticed. Symptoms include several associated with seasonal influenza viruses, including achy joints, tiredness and fever.
"It?s quite likely, give we have seen spread in the province. At this time most of the cases seem to be mild," Allan said.
It?s back to the basics when it comes to prevention, he added.
"Wash your hands. If you feel unwell, stay at home and cover your cough."
The WHO expects to have a vaccine to fight the disease ready by September