As of May 4th, 787 cases of H1N1 influenza have been identified in 17 countries around the world. There have been 85 identified cases in Canada, and 226 cases in the US. Although the US has reported one death (a 23 month old Mexican child), the overall majority of cases have been reported mild.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised their alert level to a Level 5. The WHO defines a Level 5 alert as human-to-human transmission into at least two countries in one WHO region. This affects the world situation, however does not change the local situation or what we are doing.

Even though the H1N1 flu is a new strain of influenza, it is still influenza which has been circulating here over the past 4 months.

If you have experienced a sudden onset of fever and a new/worse cough or shortness of breath within the past 7 days, you are advised to stay home to help prevent the spread of illness. If you have recently travelled to Mexico or the US and are experiencing respiratory illness, please contact (by phone) your health care provider and inform them of your symptoms and travel history. If your symptoms are mild, it is not necessary to see your health care provider and you are encouraged to stay home. Of course, if you have concerns it is always appropriate to check with your health care provider. The same information must be shared with the receptionist upon arrival at your health care provider.

Symptoms of severe respiratory illness include sudden onset of;

1) high fever

2) chills

3) muscle aches

4) headache

5) ocular (eye) pain

6) shortness of breath

7) extreme fatigue

Important steps one should take to prevent the spread of influenza include;

1) Hand Washing

2) Cough and sneeze etiquette (e.g., cover your mouth, use tissue, and wash your hands after use)

3) Disposing tissues

Travel Advisory

If you are planning on travelling to Mexico, please check the World Health Organization or Public Health Agency of Canada for travel advisories.

For more information please visit:

Cough and Sneeze Etiquette:http://www.health.gov.on.ca/cs/influenza

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care: http://www.health.gov.on.ca

Public Health Agency of Canada, Human Swine Influenza:http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine_200904-eng.php

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov

World Health Organization: http://www.who.int