June 15, 2009 - The Health Unit confirms a case of H1N1 flu from the District of Thunder Bay. The case is not being treated in Thunder Bay.
On Friday June 12, 2009, Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, said there are 143 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus since Thursday (June 11, 2009), bringing the total number of cases in Ontario to 1,781.
Almost all of the cases reported to date are considered mild. The vast majority of these cases have recovered. To date, two people, who had the H1N1 virus and chronic medical conditions, have died. Fourteen people who have the H1N1 flu virus were in hospital as of June 11, a number of whom have underlying medical conditions.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently provided updated guidance to health care providers on who should be tested for the H1N1 virus. Providers have been asked to only have tests performed on patients requiring hospitalization and on patients at high risk of complications from the flu.
A review of Ontario laboratory tests shows the majority of people who get tested do not have either seasonal or H1N1 flu. There is little use for routine testing since it does not alter the treatment of mild cases.
A more focused approach to testing at this point enables Ontario’s public health laboratory system to expedite testing for hospitalized cases and cases of suspected outbreaks.
To prevent spreading and catching the germ that cause illnesses like the flu:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
- Sneeze and cough into your upper sleeve.
- Stay home when your are sick and away from work, school and other public places.
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