Date Published: 28 April 2009

Update To Provinces And Territories And International Partners Regarding Human Swine Influenza

Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones provided an update to Canadians on further actions that have been taken by the Government of Canada in the management of the human swine influenza outbreak. The federal government continues to work closely with the provinces and territories and international partners to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

The Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg has confirmed four cases of A, H1N1 human swine influenza from Nova Scotia. The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control identified two additional cases from British Columbia. All six cases are same strain of human swine influenza that has been found in the U.S. and Mexico. These first cases were detected as a result of the increased surveillance the federal government initiated with the provinces and territories and health professionals given concerns over the spread of human swine influenza in Mexico and the United States.

"The federal government has taken additional steps to protect travellers and has issued a health alert notice to the airlines that they are now distributing," said Minister Aglukkaq. "In addition, airlines are making onboard announcements to advise travelers of health precautions. The situation is evolving and we will remain vigilant and continue to monitor the situation closely."

"We have no new confirmed cases to date and all existing cases have recovered completely from their mild symptoms," said Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer. "In Canada, we have already increased our activity in several ways. Most notably, we've heightened our surveillance systems to more closely monitor the spread of the disease and we are ensuring that rigorous infection control practices are being implemented to prevent further spread."

The Public Health Agency of Canada is providing additional support to its international partners. Two Canadian epidemiologists are in Mexico, assisting with testing at that country's request.

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