SWINE FLU (H1N1) INFLUENZA - FAQ'S 

The Regional Municipality of York confirmed that two cases of human swine flu (H1N1) has been identified in York Region.  The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care today confirmed 7 cases of swine flu in the Greater Toronto Area.

This first confirmed York Region case is a 27-year-old male from the Town of Georgina who recently travelled to Mexico.  Like other cases in Canada, this was a mild case.  He was never hospitalized and is recovering at home.  It is probable that he contracted the virus during his recent trip to Mexico. Public Health is investigating this case and his contacts.

This occurrence is not a surprise given the number of individuals in York Region that travel to Mexico.  It was only was a matter of time before cases of swine flu appeared in Ontario.  This shows that our monitoring and surveillance system is working as it should.

Current Situation in Canada
There are approximately 47 confirmed cases in Canada - within British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

On April 28, the Public Health Agency of Canada issued a travel advisory against travel to Mexico.  The advisory states any non-essential travel to Mexico should be postponed until further notice.

No country outside of Mexico has seen severe disease neither caused by this virus nor reported deaths.  However, the United States government has declared a public health emergency for preparedness purposes.  This is a standard procedure.  The declaration allows them to pre-position equipment, resources and services that may be required to respond.

York Region's Response
York Region and other jurisdictions have been planning and preparing for the potential of an influenza pandemic for several years.  York Region Community and Health Services, Public Health Branch, is the Region's lead in coordinating the response to any type of influenza outbreak, under direction from the Medical Officer of Health. 

Public Health has increased surveillance for influenza linked to the cases in Mexico and distributed a Surveillance Alert to hospitals, emergency rooms, infection control practitioners and physicians to ensure they are aware of the situation, and to request that they report any confirmed cases.  Further Surveillance Alerts to the health care community will be distributed, as necessary.
 
York Region Community and Health Services will continue to participate with health units across the GTA, provincial and federal authorities in monitoring, investigating and responding to this situation.

Until further notice, people do not need to change their regular routines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Swine Flu and what are the symptoms?
Swine flu is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu. The symptoms may include fever, fatigue, a lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhea.

Influenza and other (severe) respiratory infections are transmitted from person to person via the respiratory route.  Coughs and sneezes release droplets into the air and onto surfaces.  Individuals may become infected by breathing in the germs or touching contaminated surfaces and not washing their hands afterwards.

If you have recently travelled to an area affected by swine flu and/or are exhibiting flu-like symptoms of sufficient severity that you need to seek medical attention, contact your health care provider.  Make sure you mention your recent travel history.
 
What you can do to stay healthy?

Everyone is advised to take the usual measures to reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory illness. These measures include:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and hot water or, if soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol- hand sanitizer
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm
• Contact your family doctor and stay home if you are ill
• Practicing social distancing (minimizing contact with family members, not going out in public) while symptomatic
• Not going to work until 24 hours after symptoms are resolved or up to seven days from when you became ill (onset of symptoms), whichever is longer

Resources

For more information and updates, visit the following websites:

The Regional Municipality of York - www.york.ca

World Health Organization - http://www.who.int/csr/swine_flu/swine_flu_faq_26april.pdf
 
Public Health Agency of Canada - http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
 
The Public Health Agency of Canada has set up a hotline where you can get more information:       1-800-454-8302
 
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - http://www.health.gov.on.ca/index.html

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has also set up a public inquiry line for the public: 1-800-476-9708.  Hours of Operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.