NAN Update Re: H1N1 Virus (Human Swine flu)

Monday, July 27, 2009

H1N1 Surveillance:

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will know be reporting the ‘deaths associated with H1N1 flu virus in Canada’ as opposed to the number of confirmed cases every Tuesday and Thursday at 4:00 pm (EST). As of July 23, 2009, PHAC has reported 6 new deaths across Canada related to H1N1, which includes 2 new deaths reported in Ontario. To date there has been a cumulative of 55 deaths across Canada which includes 18 deaths for the province of Ontario.Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC)

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) reports 3,804 confirmed cases of H1N1 as of July 11, 2009. The MOHLTC posts H1N1 information in their Ontario Influenza Bulletin which provides an in-depth surveillance report on a week-to-week basis. For the surveillance period from July 5, 2009 to July 11, 2009 (Surveillance Week 27), Ontario health units reported to date, 193 new confirmed cases of influenza through the Integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS). During this week’s report, new laboratory-confirmed cases continue to be seen across Ontario with the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa reporting most of these cases.

Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) and District

As of July 24, 2009, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit reports no new cases of H1N1. The total number of confirmed cases of H1N1 to date remains at five (5) for Thunder Bay and District. The next local update from the TBDHU will be posted Friday, July 31, 2009 at 1:00 pm. on their website. The Northwestern Health Unit reports to date eight (8) new cases of confirmed cases of H1N1, bringing the total to sixty-eight (68) confirmed cases.

Health Canada/First Nations & Inuit Health:

In a teleconference with Health Canada on July 23, 2009, Dr. Geoff Dunkley, Community Medicine Specialist – Health Canada reported that there were a total of 61 confirmed cases of H1N1 among First Nations people, that is, 47 cases in 10 communities in the Sioux Lookout Zone, 12 cases in 8 communities in the Thunder Bay Zone, and 2 cases in 1 community in the Southern Ontario Zone. There were four (4) First Nations communities that were in outbreak status, of which 2 of those communities have had their outbreak status declared over, and 2 communities that are still in outbreak status.

NAN’s Communications via Conference Calls re: H1N1:

July 23, 2009 – Health Canada/COO/PTO’s regular weekly conference call ** NEXT CALL to be announced
July 23, 2009 – Health Canada/NAN hosted a conference call with NAN Tribal Council Health Directors, Health Authorities ** NEXT CALL to be announced
July 15, 2009 – Health Canada hosted Zone-By-Zone conference calls for health directors, Chief/Councils from communities, Tribal Councils, and health authorities ** NEXT CALL to be announced

NAN’s Updates:

. NAN is currently working on a Personal H1N1 Information Booklet to address infection control practices while attending the XXVIII Keewaywin Conference in August 2009. This booklet will provide basic information on H1N1, hand hygiene practices, cough and sneeze etiquette, and other information related to H1N1. This booklet will be provided to all attendees at the Keewaywin Conference along with personal hand sanitizers to ensure protection and prevention of transmission of H1N1.

. In preparation for the next wave of the pandemic influenza, NAN’s Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler is initiating plans to meet with Health Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) officials to discuss the inclusion of NAN in Health Canada/MOHLTC’s pandemic planning for First Nations. Issues and concerns to be discussed will include but not limited to vaccination/antiviral distribution, emergency response planning, stockpile and distribution of personal protective and medical equipment, access to bottled water for those communities with unsafe water facilities, etc..

. NAN’s Deputy Grand Chief Fiddler and some of the Health Policy and Planning department staff will be meeting with Chief and Council in North Spirit Lake.

NAN Community Updates:

To date, the following NAN First Nations have disclosed H1N1 activity to NAN:
North Caribou Lake, Bearskin Lake, Sachigo Lake, North Spirit Lake, Keewaywin, Muskrat Dam, Sandy Lake, Pikangikum

Pandemic Plans and Business Continuity Plans:

NAN encourages its member First Nations to continue to revise and update their pandemic plans in preparation for the fall Influenza season.

If you have any questions regarding H1N1:

. Contact the FNIH Nurse within your community – as they are updated weekly by the Zone Nursing Officers at FNIH. The Zone Nursing Officers are updated by the Regional Community Specialist at Health Canada
. Health Canada’s H1N1 Flu Information Phone Line – Toll free number: 1 877 365 3623
. Dr. Lilian Yuan, Regional Community Medicine Specialist – Health Canada at 416 973 2008
. Telehealth 1 866 797 0000
. Surabhi Patel-Widmeyer, Health Emergency Coordinator – First Nations & Inuit Health 807 737 5865
. Sarah Perrault, Public Health Policy Analyst at NAN 807 625 4913

NOTE: NAN is a Political Territorial Organization (PTO) and not a health agency. NAN is only in a position to relay information regarding pandemic activities, such as confirmed cases of H1N1 or public health messages from health officials and other credible medical sources.

Click here to download a copy of this advisory.