New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada - WorldSkills competition

[Gert van der Hoek]

World Skills family member dies of H1N1

9/4/2009

The family member of a competitor from New Zealand at the World Skills event has died of complications related to H1N1.

World Skills officials confirmed it to Global Television News, and say they are consoling and supporting the competitor to help them through the tragedy.

It appears the family member flew over to cheer the competitior on.

Alberta Health says there has been another H1N1 death in our province.

http://www.am770chqr.com/News/Local/Story.aspx?ID=1136593

 

[Shiloh]

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada

Source: http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Swine+death+hits+WorldSkills/1961720/story.html

Swine flu death hits WorldSkills
By Deborah Tetley, Calgary HeraldSeptember 4, 2009 6:32 AM

Team New Zealand is in mourning after a relative of one of their WorldSkills competitors died in a Calgary hospital Thursday of complications related to swine flu.

Provincial health officials confirmed late Thursday the person's death is linked to H1N1, but say Alberta's chief medical officer of health will hold a news conference today, where more information is expected to be released.

"A relative of a competitor in WorldSkills competition died of H1N1-related causes in Calgary," said Mark Kastner, a spokesman for Alberta Health Services.

The person's age and gender have not been released

 

[B.C.]

Re: Swine flu death hits WorldSkills

Re: Swine flu death hits WorldSkills

BREAKING NEWS: WorldSkills visitor dies from H1N1

Updated: Fri Sep. 04 2009 11:00:32

ctvcalgary.ca

Alberta Health Services says there has been an H1N1 related death in connection to the WorldSkills event.

The father of a New Zealand participant died in a Calgary hospital on Thursday.

"This is yet another tragic reminder of how serious influenza can be and, in particular, how we need to remain vigilant for H1N1," says Dr. Andre Corriveau, the chief medical officer of health.

AHS says the man arrived in Calgary on August 28th and was not staying with any of the participants in the WorldSkills competition.

Health officials are monitoring other family members and contacting people who may have been in contact with the person who died.

Organizers of the WorldSkills competition and members of the New Zealand team have been contacted by Alberta Health Services and "all appropriate precautions" are being taken but no word yet on what those measures are.

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo..._WorldSkills_090904/20090904/?hub=CalgaryHome

Should this be in NZ forum perhaps?

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada

Death of NZ man in Canada linked to swine flu

Updated at 6:28am on 5 September 2009

Canadian health authorities say a New Zealander has died in hospital in Calgary. They believe his death was linked to swine flu.

Alberta's chief medical officer of health Andre Corriveau says the man died in hospital on Thursday morning (local time) after developing flu symptoms when he arrived in Canada a week before.

Dr Corriveau says the man was accompanying his daughter, who was taking part in an annual international competition for young people.

Canada's Public Health Agency says 72 people have died from H1N1 there.

In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health says there have been 17 deaths where swine flu was the primary cause of death. Other deaths are being investigated by the Coroner's office.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/09/05/1245c7426d90

 

[B.C.]

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada

EDMONTON ? Albertans should not avoid attending school, sporting or cultural events, despite the H1N1-related death of a New Zealand man who died from complications during his visit to Calgary?s WorldSkills 2009 competition, says Alberta?s chief medical officer of health.

?H1N1 is everywhere in the world and it?s really something that everybody?s facing,? said Dr. Andre Corriveau at an Edmonton news conference. ?As long as we all take precautions in terms of frequent handwashing and etiquette around sneezing and coughing and staying home if you have flu-like illness, I think large-scale events will continue to be something we encourage people to participate in, and same with travel.?

The death is the province?s eighth H1N1-related death.

The latest flu victim was the stepfather of a female competitor with the New Zealand team, confirmed Guy Mallabone, WorldSkills Calgary 2009 chairman. The middle-aged man did not have any flu-like symptoms when he arrived in Calgary Aug. 28 to watch his stepdaughter participate in the competition between professionals in robotics, landscape gardening, web design, welding or cooking, among other skills.

The man became sick the next day after having come into contact with the flu virus on the airplane or in New Zealand, which is experiencing the tail-end of its winter flu season. When he went to a Calgary hospital emergency Wednesday, he was immediately suspected as having flu and treated in isolation, said Corriveau, who would give no indication if the man had pre-existing health issues ? such as obesity or asthma ? that would make him more vulnerable to infection.

He died Thursday morning.

?This is a devastating event for the competitor and upsetting to all of us in the WorldSkills family,? Mallabone said.

New Zealand team spokesperson Peter Spencer said the competitor has withdrawn from the international skills event after the death in her family, but that the rest of the team would continue on.

?We are from New Zealand. We don?t give up,? he said.

No relatives or people he came into contact with have shown signs of illness, Corriveau said. The man travelled on a separate airplane and stayed in a different hotel than the sporting delegation from New Zealand, so had little contact with any participants.

?We don?t quarantine people but certainly we advise people to take additional precautions and to signal the fact that they have developed illness so early precautions can be taken,? Corriveau said.

He said the organizers of WorldSkills 2009 had done much to help prevent the spread of flu, including setting up hand-washing stations and telling people to stay away if they had coughs or other symptoms.

?They had done in my estimation a wonderful job to be prepared for any potential issue arising from H1N1,? Corriveau said. ?It is an isolated case.?

He said people should expect more flu cases to show up this fall, especially as children return to school.

With files from the Calgary Herald

jsinnema@thejournal.canwest.com

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/heal...spite+H1N1+death+Corriveau/1963194/story.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Swine flu death hits WorldSkills

Re: Swine flu death hits WorldSkills

H1N1 victim infected before arrival for WorldSkills event in Calgary


Calgary Herald September 4, 2009 12:57


More Images ? Peter Spencer, New Zealand's WorldSkills team CEO talks to the media about the death of a New Zealand competitor's father during the 2009 WorldSkills in Calgary, Alberta on Sept. 4, 2009.Photograph by: Leah Hennel, Calgary HeraldCALGARY - A New Zealand man who died in Calgary Thursday from H1N1-related causes likely acquired the disease in his home country, says Alberta Health.


Government officials say the father of a New Zealand team member in WorldSkills 2009 probably contracted the H1N1 influenza shortly before leaving for Calgary or on the journey to Canada.


The middle-aged man, who came to Alberta Aug. 28, had no symptoms when he arrived but fell ill one day later. He went to a local emergency room on Wednesday and died Thursday morning.


?Based on the incubation period he would have acquired it shortly before leaving or possibly on the plane itself,? said Dr. Andre Corriveau, chief medical officer of health for Alberta.


Physicians say no one who has been in contact with the man is exhibiting symptoms of the flu, but several people are being monitored.


Corriveau said an assessment has determined there is a minimal risk to other WorldSkills attendees.


The man is the eighth person in Alberta whose death has been linked to H1N1. The virus, which is also known as swine flu, has infected more than 1,600 people in the province.


WorldSkills officials are expected to hold a press conference today regarding the death. More than 900 competitors from 51 countries are taking part in the event at Stampede grounds.


?Our concern is supporting the family,? said Laurie Stretch, a spokeswoman for WorldSkills, on Thursday.

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/...+WorldSkills+event+Calgary/1963342/story.html

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada

Authorities believe man developed swine flu before arrival

Peter Spencer, chief executive of WorldSkills NZ, said the competitor was struggling with the sudden death of her step father

View Video
Sat, 05 Sep 2009 4:11p.m. A New Zealand man who died from swine flu (H1N1) complications in Canada this week developed the disease before arriving, Alberta's chief medical officer said yesterday.

The man was in Calgary for WorldSkills 2009, an event that sees young professionals from trades, service and technical programs around the world compete and show off their talents.

Chief medical officer Doctor Andre Corriveau said the man had minimal contact with others attending the event.
The Edmonton Journal reported the man was the stepfather of a female competitor in the New Zealand team.
Peter Spencer, the chief executive of WorldSkills New Zealand, said the competitor was struggling with the sudden death.
"We're trying to help the family right now, trying to help them sort it out. "

The victim, a middle-aged man did not have flu-like symptoms when he arrived in Calgary on August 28.

The man became sick the next day after having come into contact with the flu virus on the airplane or in New Zealand, Dr Corriveau said.

He went to a Calgary hospital emergency department on Wednesday and was immediately suspected as having flu and treated in isolation.

No indication was given by Canadian authorities of whether the man had pre-existing health issues that would make him more vulnerable to infection.

He died on Thursday morning.

New Zealand team spokesperson Peter Spencer said the competitor had withdrawn from the international skills event after the death but the rest of the team would continue on.

"We are from New Zealand. We don't give up," he said.

The New Zealand team has 17 competitors.

Dr Corriveau said no relatives or people the man had come into contact with had shown signs of illness.

The man had travelled on a separate airplane and stayed in a different hotel than the New Zealand team, so had had little contact with any participants.
NZPA

http://www.3news.co.nz/Authorities-...rticleID/119853/Default.aspx?ArticleID=119853

 

[Tonka]

Flu death rocks Calgary

Flu death rocks Calgary

http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/alberta/2009/09/05/10759311-sun.html

Flu death rocks Calgary
By SUN MEDIA

Last Updated: 5th September 2009, 3:12am
CALGARY -- Alberta health officials are tracking down anyone who may have come in contact with a New Zealand man whose death was H1N1 related.

The man was visiting the city to support his stepdaughter who was competing at WorldSkills Calgary 2009.

Dr. Andre Corriveau said health officials are locating people who may have been in contact with the deceased, and have been communicating relevant information to organizers of the competition and members of the New Zealand team.

"This is yet another tragic reminder of how serious influenza can be, and in particular, how we need to remain vigilant for H1N1," said Corriveau.

The man, who officials say is not part of the New Zealand team, arrived in the city Aug. 28 but he wasn't staying with any of the competition participants.

Corriveau said the H1N1 victim likely contracted the illness before he arrived in Canada. Shortly after arriving he became ill.

 

[Tonka]

Re: Swine flu death hits WorldSkills

Re: Swine flu death hits WorldSkills

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news...isitor-to-calgary-competition/article1277118/

H1N1 virus kills visitor to Calgary competition
Death should not deter people from attending event, health officials say

Dawn Walton

Calgary ? From Friday's Globe and Mail
Last updated on Friday, Sep. 04, 2009 09:52PM EDT


The H1N1-related death of a New Zealand man who was visiting Calgary to watch his daughter participate in the WorldSkills competition should not deter people from attending the so-called Olympic Games of the trades or other large-scale events, health officials in Alberta say.

Andr? Corriveau, the province's chief medical officer of health, said people shouldn't avoid the event, but rather take precautions such as hand washing, or, if they feel flu-like symptoms, staying home temporarily.

?We're still not recommending that people should cancel,? said Dr. Corriveau. ?? I hope they don't have any concerns about continuing their participation in the games.?

Alberta announced Friday a middle-aged man who travelled to Canada on Aug. 28 from New Zealand is the eighth person to die in the province of causes connected to the H1N1 virus. Officials wouldn't say if the man had underlying health conditions, which have been cited as contributing factors in other H1N1 deaths.

The unidentified man was to be among an estimated 150,000 spectators taking in WorldSkills at the Stampede grounds. The event features more than 900 competitors aged 17 to 22, representing 51 countries, putting their talents to the test in everything from auto-body repair to landscaping. The event is expected to pump $82-million into the city's economy.

The New Zealand man began showing symptoms the day after he arrived in Calgary. His condition worsened, and on Sept. 2, he went to a hospital emergency room. He died the next day.

Health officials call it an ?isolated case.?

The man likely contracted the virus at home in the Southern Hemisphere, which is coming out of its peak annual flu season, or possibly on the plane to Canada, Dr. Corriveau said.

?H1N1 is everywhere in the world. It's really something everybody is facing,? he said.

Nobody the man had close contact with has exhibited symptoms, but officials are following up. The man's family has been asked to stay in their hotel room as a precaution to watch for symptoms. The incubation period of the virus is two to four days.

Guy Mallabone, chairman of WorldSkills, said precautions were taken even before the start of the event. Competitors received flu kits and there's enough hand sanitizer to ?drown the city.?

?The public should not be concerned to come down to the venue,? he said.

He offered his condolences to the man's family and the New Zealand team.

While the competitor has withdrawn for the event, team New Zealand head Peter Spencer pledged to carry on.

?We are from New Zealand. We don't give up,? he said.

The closing ceremonies are Sunday.

 

[Tonka]

Alta., New Zealand monitor H1N1 at games

Alta., New Zealand monitor H1N1 at games

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Alta+Zealand+monitor+H1N1+games/1967585/story.html

By Sarah McGinnis, Calgary Herald; Canwest News ServiceSeptember 6, 2009 7:22 AM

In the wake of a New Zealand man's death of H1N1 influenza in Calgary this week, New Zealand's deputy director of public health is calling on Alberta health officials to continue monitoring for flu symptoms before hundreds of WorldSkills competitors begin boarding international flights for home.

The flu death has raised concerns among some international visitors here this week, but it didn't keep thousands of people from heading to the Stampede grounds Saturday to take in the final hours of the global skills and trades competition.

WorldSkills Calgary 2009 is set to conclude today with its closing ceremonies.

"Before getting on a plane the local health authority should be checking to see if everyone is feeling well and monitoring for symptoms," said Dr. Darren Hunt, deputy director of public health for New Zealand's ministry of health. "From what I've seen (Alberta Health Services) is doing that."

New Zealand's health ministry was contacted by Alberta Health Services about the H1N1 death at the same time that WorldSkills Calgary officials were being told the news Friday morning.

The New Zealand man who passed away in Calgary on Thursday is believed to have contracted the

flu before arriving in this city. He began showing symptoms once in Canada and was admitted to a local hospital on Tuesday only to succumb to the illness two days later.

"This passing seems consistent with what we have seen on incubation periods," said Hunt, who added it can take up to a week for a patient to begin showing flu symptoms.

"The fact is he most likely picked it up either on the plane or in New Zealand," he said.

New Zealand is nearing the end of its traditional flu season, which saw the number of H1N1 cases spike in July, said Hunt.

Like North America, many of the individuals to die from H1N1 in New Zealand have had some sort of pre-existing medical condition, though Hunt would not comment on whether this latest case was tied to an underlying medical condition.

"We're at the end of our normal flu season and we've seen H1N1 swine flu decline quite a bit over the last few weeks. But there could be an increase at any time over the next few months because there are so many uncertainties," said Hunt.

He said Alberta health officials are talking to the relatives of the deceased man, assessing the level of risk to everyone the patient came in contact with and monitoring family members for symptoms as a precaution.

Anyone arriving in New Zealand will also receive information on what symptoms to watch for and how to report them should they feel ill after returning home, he said.

Back in Calgary, a brief message on the WorldSkills New Zealand online diary hints at the drama taking place half a world away from home.

"Everyone is, of course, devastated by the death of the father of one of our competitors but despite this the team has remained focused on their competition and most of them had a good day's work on their projects.

"Everyone has been checked out and they are all fit and healthy," the site said.

? Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Swine flu death hits WorldSkills

Re: Swine flu death hits WorldSkills

LA transit blamed for NZ swine flu death

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 8:00a.m.

The family of a New Plymouth man who died of swine flu in Canada last week believes he caught it while in overnight transit in Los Angeles.

Paul William Hartigan, 41, travelled to Calgary to support his stepdaughter army private Kirsty Lister who was competing in WorldSkills 2009, an event in which young professionals from trades, service and technical programmes show off their talents.

A family spokeswoman told The Taranaki Daily News the fit, healthy man developed pneumonia as a result of contracting swine flu.

Symptoms first appeared the day after arrived in Canada two weeks ago and his family believed he picked up swine flu in Los Angeles. He died last Thursday.

"He was a fit, healthy, strong man in training for the half marathon," the spokeswoman said.

"We are all just in shock."

Mr Hartigan's wife, Roslyn, was in quarantine after becoming sick.

Pte Lister's two brothers had flown to Canada to support their mother and sister.

New Zealand team spokesman Peter Spencer said Pte Lister had withdrawn from the event after her stepfather's death but the rest of the 17-strong team would continue on.

"We are from New Zealand. We don't give up," he said.


http://www.3news.co.nz/Home/Story/tabid/209/articleID/119956/cat/41/Default.aspx

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada

Thread from NZ forum has been merged into this one.

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada - WorldSkills competition

Officials identify H1N1 flu victimSherri Zickefoose, Calgary Herald: Monday,

September 7, 2009 7:33 AM


The New Zealand man who died of H1N1 influenza while in Calgary at WorldSkills has been identified.

Paul William Hartigan, 41, of New Plymouth, arrived in Calgary to support his stepdaughter, Kirsty Lister, an army steward who competed in restaurant service, according to the Taranaki Daily News newspaper.

He died Thursday.

His wife, Roslyn, is in quarantine, the newspaper reports.

Hartigan is believed to have been suffering flu symptoms before arriving in Calgary. He began showing symptoms once in Canada and was admitted to a hospital on Tuesday, only to die two days later.

It can take up to a week for a patient to begin showing flu symptoms.

Many of the individuals to die from H1N1 have had some sort of pre-existing medical condition.

In the wake of Hartigan's death, New Zealand's deputy director of public health is calling on Alberta health officials to continue monitoring for flu symptoms before hundreds of WorldSkills competitors begin boarding flights for home.

Lister was initially quarantined after her stepfather's death as a precaution. She has not shown symptoms of illness, but withdrew from her event.

Hartigan was reported to be a runner who competed in marathons with his wife, according to the newspaper.

The New Zealand man is the eighth person with H1N1 to die in Alberta since it appeared earlier this year. The virus has infected more than 1,600 people in the province and Alberta Health expects a resurgence of cases as fall approaches.

In New Zealand, where the winter flu season is wrapping up, health officials are reporting 3,145 confirmed H1N1 cases and 17 deaths from the virus.


http://www.calgaryherald.com/

 

[Chuck]

Re: New Zealander died of H1N1 in Canada - WorldSkills competition

http://www.canada.com/Latest+swine+victim+identified/1980274/story.html

Latest swine flu victim identified


By Sherri Zickefoose, Calgary HeraldSeptember 10, 2009 3:10 PM



The New Zealand man who died of H1N1 influenza while in Calgary at WorldSkills has been identified.

Paul William Hartigan, 41, of New Plymouth, arrived in Calgary to support step-daughter Kirsty Lister, an army steward who competed in restaurant service, according to The Taranaki Daily News newspaper.

He died Thursday.

His wife, Roslyn, is in quarantine, the newspaper reports.

Hartigan is believed to have been suffering flu symptoms before arriving in Calgary. He began showing symptoms once in Canada and was admitted to a hospital on Tuesday, only to die of the illness two days later.

It can take up to a week for a patient to begin showing flu symptoms.

Many of the individuals to die from H1N1 have had some sort of pre-existing medical condition.

In the wake of Hartigan's death, New Zealand's deputy director of public health is calling on Alberta health officials to continue monitoring for flu symptoms before hundreds of WorldSkills competitors begin boarding flights for home.

Lister was initially quarantined after her stepfather's death as a precaution. She has not shown symptoms of illness, but withdrew from her event.

Hartigan was reported to be a runner who competed in marthons with his wife, according to the newspaper.

The New Zealand man is the eighth person with H1N1 to die in Alberta since it appeared earlier this year. The virus has infected more than 1,600 people in the province and Alberta Health expects a resurgence of cases as fall approaches.

In New Zealand, where the winter flu season is wrapping up, health officials are reporting 3,145 confirmed H1N1 cases and 17 deaths from the virus.
? Copyright (c) Canwest News Service