Local Case of H1N1 Likely Not the Last

Thursday, April 30, 2009 03:52 PM

Prince George, B.C. - Dr. David Bowering, Chief Medical Health Officer for Northern Health, says the Prince George case of H1N1 flu is in a male adult who recently returned from Mexico and it is possible his wife is also ill with the same virus. This is one of eleven cases confirmed in B.C.

Dr. William Osei, Medical Health officer for the Interior, says the man returned to Prince George from the Cancun region of Mexico on Friday and started feeling ill on Saturday and went to the emergency room of Prince George Regional Hospital. “Everything was very well done (staff protection) and the patient is on the mend”. In the case of this patient, he felt ill, and stayed home until his symptoms worsened. His wife has also shown some flu like symptoms, but the results of the swab done on her have not yet been finalized.

Dr. Bowering says he believes there are other cases in the region, but he doesn’t know how many. “Our overall surveillance shows there will be other cases, however, how many will that be in Prince George, a few? Ten? It could be dozens. What we do know is that we are not seeing increases in the number of influenza cases (the region is in the tail end of the normal flu season)”. He says they will be watching schools for instance to see if there is any increase in absenteeism.

Dr. Osei adds that while many people may have been exposed to the H1N1 flu, Not everyone will become ill “The severity of the illness will depend on the person’s level of health, how old you are, how fit you are, some will show nothing, and others will have symptoms.”

Dr. Bowering says the outbreak of the H1N1 flu is likely going to be a moderate virus, and it is no where near the seriousness of SARS.

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Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 03:52 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: turtle_mapper on April 30 2009 5:00 PM

Monday evening I went to the Nechako clinic with a bronchial cough and slight fever. I haven't been in Mexico and I have had these symptoms for a couple of weeks, so I was ok with this not being swine flu. Behind me line was a woman with a similar but much worse cough.

By Monday I had heard regularly about the swine flu. Please note that while in the clinic not once did any ask: Have you been to Mexico recently? So...even though I would hope people who are sick and have been to Mexico or have been near Mexico-returned folk would volunteer this info, I am not 100% sure. Please a little more vigilance!

Posted by: sum42guy2k on April 30 2009 5:22 PM

turtle,
it does not matter if you have been to Mexico anymore. It is spread from person to person, how much no one knows, but it still has been spread. Also, i am sure there are more cases, but those people just dont go get it checked out.

Posted by: Oldun on April 30 2009 6:31 PM

It appears that this flu has changed again. Apparently it started with swine then progressed to humans and became known as swine flu.It now has morfed again and is now known as H1N1. Very politically correct. If you were to change those ones to i's you would have Hini flu which would be unfair to jackasses. Ain't life wonderful?

Posted by: turtle_mapper on April 30 2009 8:42 PM

sum guy

thanks for the info. I heard that on the news on Monday. I believe you missed my point.

Posted by: ShannanigansB on April 30 2009 10:25 PM

I know people who got back from Mexico about a week ago and were very very sick. They insist its not the H1N1/swine flu and haven't gone to be checked out. I think its irresponsible for people to do that. Kudos to the people who DO volunteer the information and get themselves taken care of.

Posted by: CheGie777 on May 1 2009 8:23 AM

It was stated yesterday, as heard on the radio, that because the symptoms of the flu are quite mild - just stay home and heal so as to not infect others. With that said, it seems to me that it isn't necessary to run to the emergency room or clinic and share the bug with everyone else if the symptoms are going to remain mild. Of course it was also stated that if the symptoms become severe, visit a doctor, but until then it is OK to take care of yourself.