New cases of H1N1 Flu Virus
Four new cases of the H1N1 flu virus have been confirmed in the Thunder Bay District. The cases involved two young children from the Thunder Bay area, and a child and an adult from outlying communities. Allhave recovered. This count only reflects those cases that have been tested and confirmed positive. H1N1is the predominant flu strain this flu season in Ontario, and testing is not being routinely done for most flu cases.
H1N1 Confirmed Case Summary at October 23, 2009 (cumulative for 2009):
Thunder Bay District, 18 cases
Ontario = 387 hospitalized cases, 28 deaths
Canada = 1541 hospitalized cases, 86 deaths
There has also been an increase of influenza-like-illness in some hospitals in our district.
H1N1 Vaccine Arrives
Today we received the District’s supply of the H1N1 vaccine and we will begin administering it next week in Thunder Bay. The first clinic is going to be held Monday, October 26th from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Lakehead Labour Centre on Fort William Road, and in Marathon at the Moose Hall from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. The Health Unit wants to assure people that there will be enough H1N1 vaccine for everyone who wants or needs it, and is free.
Adjuvanted H1N1 flu vaccine will be offered starting with:
· People 65 and under with chronic conditions
· Healthy children 6 months to under five years of age
· People living in remote or isolated communities
· Health care workers
· Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or maynot respond to vaccines.
Unadjuvanted vaccine will not be available until early November. All pregnant women with pre-existing health conditions and healthy pregnant women in the second half of their pregnancy (more than 20 weeks) should speak to their health care provider about receiving the adjuvanted vaccine. Healthy pregnant women in the first half of their pregnancy are at less risk of complications from the flu, and should wait to receive the unadjuvanted vaccine, when it is available.
People age 10 and over will require one dose of the H1N1 vaccine for full immunity and children under 10 years old will require two-half doses, a minimum of 21 days apart.
For upcoming 65+ Seasonal Flu Clinics, as well as H1N1 clinic schedules, please visit thunderbayflu.ca or call the FLU LINE (for clinic dates and times) at 624-9082 or toll free for the region at 1-866-607-3337. For Flu information or questions call - 625-8318 - Toll free I-888-294-6630 ext. 8318.
The Health Unit’s new Flu website is up and running – visit thunderbayflu.ca to see the changes and new information.