Government Of Canada Provides Update On Prevention Measures Being Taken Regarding Human Swine Influenza

Main Category: Swine Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS;  Respiratory / Asthma;  Public Health
Article Date: 30 Apr 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones today provided an update to Canadians on further actions that have been taken by the Government of Canada in the management of the Human Swine Influenza outbreak. The federal government continues to work closely with the provinces and territories and international partners to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

The Government of Alberta has confirmed two cases, the Government of Ontario has confirmed four cases and the Government of British Columbia has confirmed one additional case of human swine influenza in each of their provinces. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Canada to 13, with four cases from Nova Scotia and two cases from British Columbia announced previously. All cases are the same strain of human swine influenza that has been found in the U.S. and Mexico. To date, all of the confirmed cases in Canada have been mild.

"Today's new cases were anticipated by public health officials and they do not change our course of action, " said Minister Aglukkaq. "We recognize that the Canadian cases have been mild to date, but we are taking this situation very seriously. An enormous amount of work is being done by health officials throughout the country to monitor the situation, plan for the future, and make the best decisions possible for the health of Canadians."

"In Canada, we are well-positioned to deal with this. We are following our national plan and working to mitigate the effects of a possible pandemic," said Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer. "That said, we have decided to move ahead with a travel health warning for Mexico recommending against non-essential travel to that country."

The Public Health Agency of Canada issued a travel health warning yesterday that recommends Canadians postpone non-essential travel to Mexico. Travellers arriving from Mexico are receiving information bulletins with health advice and are being screened for illness by border officers.

Canadians are encouraged to access updated information on Human Swine Influenza through the Public Health Agency of Canada's website, http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca or by calling 1-800-454-8302.

A backgrounder on some of the actions the federal government is taking and the measures Canadians should take to protect themselves is attached.

Source
Health of Canada

Further information on Swine Flu

• See a Map Of H1N1 Outbreaks
• See our Mexico Swine Flu Blog

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