Saturday, May 02, 2009
Two New Confirmed Cases of H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu) in Ontario
Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, says there are two new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu), bringing to 14 the total number of cases in Ontario.
Laboratory testing has confirmed that the H1N1 flu virus is the same as the one in Mexico and the United States. One of the new cases is the result of person-to-person transmission. The individual acquired the illness from a roommate who travelled to Mexico.
The two new cases are in York (1) and Toronto (1).
All of the cases to date are considered mild and the individuals are recovering at home.
With the World Health Organization at pandemic alert level Phase 5, Ontario is providing:
- Enhanced communication to ensure the health care system and the general public are aware of the current situation and actions they should be taking
- Continued monitoring of flu-like illness
- Direction to local authorities to begin activating local pandemic plans
- Coordinated activities in its Emergency Operations Centre. The centre is supported by a scientific response team, with experts drawn from the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, to provide Dr. Williams and other ministry officials with technical and scientific advice.
Ontario is working very closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, and all provinces and territories.
The breakdown of the Ontario cases is as follows :
- Five men and nine women
- Three are in York, six are in Durham, one is in Peel and four are in Toronto
- The age range of the cases is 21 – 40
QUOTES
- People returning from Mexico who have symptoms of respiratory illness should contact their health care provider or call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
- For general information on the human swine flu, call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-800-476-9708.
LEARN MORE
For more information about human swine flu.
Read about public health initiatives in the province.
For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario only)
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