Monday, February 01, 2010
H1N1 Wrap Up
H1N1 pandemic influenza was the major focus for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit from October to December 2009. With no cases being reported in the last few weeks, one might think the dangers are behind us. However, it is still important to get the seasonal flu and H1N1 shots as no one knows what to expect for the remainder of this flu season.
Cases
- There were 120 laboratory-confirmed cases of Influenza A H1N1 in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark. None have been reported in the last few weeks.
- The age of cases ranged from 2 months to 73 years of age; the median age was 24.
- 45 of the cases had underlying medical conditions such as asthma.
- 41 cases were hospitalized.
- Two deaths were noted among H1N1 cases.
- The largest influx of confirmed H1N1 influenza occurred between October 24th and November 20th, 2009.
Other stats
- Reporting hospitals showed that Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) accounted for 45% of visits to the Emergency Department between October 31st and November 7th, 2009.
- School absenteeism related to ILI peaked between October 24th and November 7th, 2009: 24 schools reported greater than 10% ILI absentee rates.
- One institutional H1N1 outbreak was declared October 31, 2009. Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A was identified as the causative agent.
- Three community based assessment treatment and referral centres were opened to alleviate increased demand on the primary care and emergency care sectors.
Immunizations
- As of January 22, 2010, the total number of people immunized with H1N1 vaccine in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark was 54,593 or about 32% of our population.
- Of the numbers above, the health unit immunized 27,878 people with H1N1 vaccine
- There were also 4,801 people immunized with seasonal flu vaccine at the health unit’s flu vaccine clinics
Communications
- Heath unit staff communicated regularly with health professionals, the MOHLTC, health care institutions, schools, municipal officials and the local media during the outbreak period. Presentations were given to local councils, hospitals, community groups, schools, physician’s offices. Public information was posted on the website daily and 61 newspaper ads were placed in local media as well as 216 radio ads aired on local radio stations.
- A H1N1 public telephone line (flu line) was set up in Brockville, with three to five nurses answering inquiries.
- Approximately 12,667 phone calls came in to the Brockville office from Oct 26th to Dec 18th. Nurses in Smiths Falls were also assigned to answer H1N1 calls coming into that office; 2250 calls were answered the weeks of Oct 26th and Nov 2nd.
- There were between 6,000 and 8,000 hits to the front page of the website each day from Oct 26th to Dec 18th.
- Health Care Providers and organizations were encouraged to link to the website.
Cost
- The total cost to the Health Unit for the H1N1 response from April to December 2009 was $828,208. Staff spent 18116.17 hours on H1N1 activities. The Health Unit will receive $270,000 from MOHLTC for the 27,000 vaccinations delivered at their clinics. Additional reimbursement for extraordinary costs is expected from MOHLTC after January.
- The biggest cost was to the public who did not receive regular programs and services or response to their non H1N1 issues during this time as all Health Unit staff were involved in providing H1N1 services. We apologize for this.
For more information on H1N1 or seasonal flu, call the Health Unit’s Health ACTION Line at 1-800-660- 5853 or visit www.healthunit.org.
Contact: Dr. Anne Carter, Medical Officer of Health, 613-345-5685
|