Four more H1N1 deaths in B.C. -total 34

[Ronan Kelly]

Four more H1N1 deaths in B.C.
By Pamela Fayerman, Vancouver SunNovember 24, 2009 12:36 PM


Four people died and 109 new severe cases of H1N1 were lab-confirmed in B.C. in the past week, bringing the total number of deaths to 34 since the pandemic began last spring.

In the weekly update from the B.C. ministry of health, data shows deaths were scattered around the province; one in Interior Health, one in Vancouver Coastal Health, one in Northern Health and one on Vancouver Island.
Of all 34 deaths, 29 cases had underlying medical conditions while four had none. One case is still under investigation.
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http://www.vancouversun.com/Four+more+H1N1+deaths/2261191/story.html

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Four more H1N1 deaths in B.C. -total 34

Resident of Northern Health Region Dies of H1N1
By 250 News

Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:57 PM


Prince George, B.C.- Northern Health has recorded its first death from H1N1, although the death didn?t actually happen in this region.

A middle aged woman, who was a resident of the north east region of Northern Health, died in a hospital in Edmonton within the past two weeks. Northern Health Spokesperson, Eryn Collins says the woman had multiple underlying conditions and lab tests confirmed the woman had H1N1.
-snip-
http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/14709/3/resident+of+northern+health+region++dies+of+h1n1

 

[Roehl_JC]

Re: Four more H1N1 deaths in B.C. -total 34

Despite declining H1N1 flu activity, the virus killed four more B.C. residents and hospitalized 105 others over the past week.

One death each was recorded in the Vancouver Coastal, Vancouver Island, Interior and Northern health regions.

"All four of these patients had underlying medical conditions," said Dr. Eric Young, B.C.'s deputy provincial health officer.

It brings to 34 the number of people who have died in the province since the flu pandemic broke out last spring. More than 860 have been hospitalized.

Young said the province continues to see a decline in hospitalizations, antivirals being prescribed and doctors' visits for flu-like symptoms ? all continued H1N1 is in retreat in B.C.

Doctors' visits for flu symptoms ? tracked by the number of Medical Services Plan billings ? peaked at about 10 per cent of all visits, but has since declined to about two per cent.

Young noted that's still a bit above the usual 0.5 per cent to one per cent of doctors visits in a regular flu season.

Intensive care units in Lower Mainland hospitals remain busy, he said, and the number of ER visits is easing.
He cautioned H1N1 flu could continue to infect many B.C. residents through the Christmas holidays.

"We want to encourage people to go get the vaccine," Youngh said. "Don't let H1N1 spoil your holiday."

The province last Friday started allowing anyone to get the H1N1 vaccine, rather than limiting access to just priority groups.

Depending on demand, some clinics may run short of vaccine later this week, Young said.

But much more is on the way.

More than 630,000 doses are to arrive this Thursday and another 750,000 is to be shipped next week.

That means 1.4 million doses will be ready to go over the next two weeks ? as much vaccine as has been distributed in B.C. to date.

Young said that should everyone who wants it is vaccinated by Christmas and help guard against any third wave of the virus.

"We will have a huge proportion of the population immune," he said.

So far 18 people in B.C. have had adverse reactions to the vaccine, one of them described as severe that resulted in the patient being briefly hospitalized.

Young said he believes many more people are being vigilant about hand washing, good cough etiquette and staying home if they're contagious.

"I get the feeling people are way more careful."

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_.../Four_more_die_as_H1N1_flu_activity_ebbs.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Four more H1N1 deaths in B.C. -total 34

Four more British Columbians die from H1N1; 34 dead in B.C. since first H1N1 outbreak in April

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 | 1:40 am
<!--p class="author">By Canwest Global</p-->Canwest News Service

Despite declining H1N1 flu activity, the virus killed four more B.C. residents and hospitalized 105 others over the past week.

One death each was recorded in the Vancouver Coastal, Vancouver Island, Interior and Northern health regions.

All four of the patients had underlying medical conditions, according to Dr. Eric Young, B.C.'s deputy provincial health officer.

The deaths bring the total to 34 since April when the flu first arrived in the B.C.

The highest infection rate in B.C. is the Fraser Health Authority, with 20 per 100,000, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control said.

The provincial average sits slightly below 15 per 100,000.

Young said Tuesday that the province is now working its way through 258,000 doses of vaccine and is expecting a shipment of 634,500 Thursday.

They are to be distributed and ready for use next week.

The following week the province is expecting a shipment of about 750,000 doses for a total of about 1.4 million, about equal to what has been distributed over the past six weeks.

Young said the province is on the decline of the second wave of the pandemic.

The first arrived in April; the second began in September.

He said visits to doctors' offices for flu-like symptoms have declined from 10 per cent about three weeks ago to about two per cent now ? " a significant decline."

But it's still higher than normal, seasonal flu season when flu-like illnesses account for about 0.5 to one per cent.

Meantime, six severe allergic reactions to wine flu vaccinations have been observed in Canada, health authorities said Tuesday.

All individuals have recovered, health officials said.

All of the cases of anaphylactic shock were linked to a single batch or 172, 000 doses of Aprepanrix vaccines made by GlaxoSmithKline distributed starting Nov. 2, said Caroline Grondin, spokeswoman for the federal health ministry.

Distribution of the batch to six provinces ? B.C, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Prince Edward Island ? was halted, she said.

She could not say how many doses had been used.

http://www.kelowna.com/2009/11/25/f...ad-in-b-c-since-first-h1n1-outbreak-in-april/