Public Statement: H1N1 Outbreak – Update #4

Monday, June 15, 2009

This is to clarify any confusion to Sandy Lake community members, the general public, and the media.

As of last Friday, June 12th, 10 cases tested positive for the H1N1 virus in Sandy Lake, Ontario.As of Friday, all new cases of I.L.I (Influenza-Like Illnesses) in Sandy Lake are not being tested for the H1N1 virus. This means the official number of confirmed cases will not increase.

Nursing station staff will treat anyone who has symptoms of I.L.I with TamiFlu. It is assumed that these cases are H1N1, although test results will not be conducted to confirm this.

As of Sunday evening, 200 community members were assessed by the nursing station staff for I.L.I. Of those, 92 adults and 43 children have been given TamiFlu. TamiFlu is an antiviral drug that helps the body ward of flu symptoms and decrease the length of the illness. 1600 treatments of the antiviral drug have been shipped to Sandy Lake.

On Monday, 8 nurses and 2 doctors have been at the nursing station to treat the outbreak in Sandy Lake. Tuesday is expected to have 8 nurses and 1 doctor on hand at the nursing station.

Sandy Lake First Nation is located 450 km northeast of Winnipeg and 600 km northwest of Thunder Bay.

All media enquiries are to be directed to Chief Adam Fiddler by phoning the Band Office at (807) 774-3421, ext. 232 or at home at (807) 774-4300.