Breaking News: Pandemic H1N1 flu virus update

The Halton Region Health Department has received the first two laboratory confirmations of pandemic H1N1 flu virus this fall. Both residents are adults. One of the cases is linked to an influenza A outbreak involving staff at a long term care home in Halton. There has not been any increased absenteeism reported in Halton schools.

Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health has stated that he suspects there has been an outbreak of pandemic H1N1 flu virus among staff at a long-term care home in Burlington.

Over 10 staff at the home are confirmed to have Influenza A. However, Nosal said it’s almost guaranteed further sub-typing tests will show the flu strain to be pandemic H1N1.

Nosal stated that the reason for his assessment is that one of the ill staff has a personal connection with one of two adults in Halton with the first confirmed cases of the pandemic H1N1 flu virus in the region this fall.

While flu outbreaks are not uncommon in long term care homes, however this is unique as it has only hit staff so far and not the elderly residents.

“Significant pandemic H1N1 flu planning has occurred over the summer as we prepare for the second wave,” said Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “Our heightened surveillance activities include daily absenteeism tracking in Halton schools and increased tracking within hospitals.”

These easy steps can help avoid spreading the pandemic H1N1 flu virus and other viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay home if you are sick with flu-like symptoms.
• Keep an alcohol-based sanitizer handy at work, home and in your car.
• Cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve or a tissue, not your hand. Dispose of tissues immediately and clean your hands.
• Keep commonly touched surfaces clean and disinfected with commercially available cleaning products.

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