H1N1 Community Update November 20, 2009
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Health Department
COMMUNITY UPDATE
Information for the community of the Regional Municipality of Durham
Update # 7 – November 20, 2009
Community updates will be provided as new information arises
About H1N1 (Swine) Flu and Symptoms
• H1N1 (Swine) flu is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza viruses. It is a variant of seasonal influenza that contains bits of viruses from birds, pigs, and humans.
• Symptoms of H1N1 (Swine) flu are similar to seasonal influenza (flu), and include almost always cough & fever, often fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, runny nose, decreased appetite and sometimes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fever may not be present in young children or the elderly.
• Influenza and other (severe) respiratory infections are transmitted from person to person via the respiratory route. Coughs and sneezes release the germs into the air where they can be breathed in by others. Sometimes people may become infected by touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
• H1N1 (Swine) Flu has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork.
Global Situation
The WHO has maintained the pandemic alert level at Phase 6. This decision is based on evidence of community spread of the virus across countries throughout the world, and does not reflect any change in severity of the circulating virus.
The H1N1 virus is the predominant circulating strain of influenza at this time.
Current Situation
In Ontario, from April 1 to November 12, 2009, there have been a total of 7,118 confirmed cases of H1N1 (Swine) flu. It should be noted that this represents only a small fraction of the number of people who have been ill with the new H1N1 strain, as most people are not being tested when they develop symptoms. Ontario has confirmed 1,067 hospitalized cases and 61 deaths associated with H1N1 (Swine) flu.
Influenza activity in Durham Region for the week of November 8 to November 14 is lower compared to the previous week. To date the Durham Region Health Department has received confirmation of 227 cases, 35 hospitalized and 4 deaths related to H1N1. The Health Department continues to participate with health units across the GTA, provincial and federal authorities in monitoring, investigating and responding to this situation.
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