60 cases of H1N1 flu virus in Halton

[HenryN]

60 cases of H1N1 flu virus in Halton<SCRIPT language=javascript type=text/javascript> document.title= "60 cases of H1N1 flu virus in Halton"; </SCRIPT> News
May 28, 2009

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Halton Region's Health Department has confirmed that there are now 60 cases of the H1N1 flu virus within the Region.

Of these 60 cases, 47 are students attending 17 different schools in Halton, 14 of which are in Oakville. There is at least one confirmed case in each of the four municipalities in Halton.

"There is ongoing community spread of the novel H1N1 influenza virus in Halton Region, especially in Halton," said Dr. Bob Nosal, Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Region. "Most of the cases have not been severe and most have had relatively mild symptoms. However, one of the recent student cases is seriously ill and has been hospitalized."

The Health Department has been in contact with both Halton school boards as well as provincial health officials to ensure detailed surveillance measures are in place and the best available scientific evidence and advice are guiding decision-making.

"Given our local surveillance picture, the questions of H1N1 in schools and the need for school closures have been explicitly discussed at the local, provincial and national levels," said Nosal. "The clear consensus has been that there is no need to close schools at this time."

Residents are reminded that the best defence against H1N1 is to wash hands frequently and regularly with soap and water and to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.

Students and adults who are ill with fever and cough must stay at home and not attend school or work.

For more information, dial 3-1-1, call Halton Region at 905-825-6000 or visit online at www.halton.ca.

http://www.oakvilletoday.ca/news/article/257119

 

[HenryN]

Re: 60 cases of H1N1 flu virus in Halton

Map of affected schools in Oakville

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[Shiloh]

Re: 60 cases of H1N1 flu virus in Halton

Source: http://www.oakvilletoday.ca/news/article/258615

Oakville students hit hardest by H1N1
News
Jun 04, 2009



Halton Region?s Health Department is reporting that there are currently 79 confirmed cases of H1N1 in the region.

The Illness has hit students in Oakville the hardest. Out of the 79 cases in Halton, 61 are students.

These students attend 23 different schools across the region, where 19 are located in Oakville.

The Halton Region has confirmed H1N1 in each of the region?s municipalities and each municipality has at least one school with a confirmed case.

"Given our local surveillance picture, the questions of H1N1 in schools and the need for school closures have been explicitly discussed at the local, provincial and national levels," said Bob Nosal, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. "The clear consensus has been that there is no need to close schools at this time."

The Halton Region Health Department recommends the following methods to combat the spread of H1N1:

? Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. It is important to wash with soap under warm running water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand gel can also be used if soap and water are not available, and hands are not visibly dirty. It?s a good idea to keep some with you in your pocket or purse when you travel.
? Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent viruses from entering into your body.
? Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Ill people should not go to work, school or large gatherings in public places. If you have to see a doctor, call ahead to the office, or tell the receptionist right away that you think you may have influenza.
? Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands.
? Monitor your health after returning from travel for at least one week. If you develop influenza-like symptoms when you return to Canada, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Tell the health care provider who sees you that you have been traveling to Mexico, California, Texas, or other areas where H1N1 flu virus cases were reported.

For more information on H1N1 in Halton, visit www.halton.ca.