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CityNews.ca - Toronto's News: Elderly Alberta Woman May Be Canada's First H1N1 Flu Death
Thursday May 7, 2009
CityNews.ca Staff
As the number of cases of H1N1 flu continues to rise in Canada, there are indications that the disease may have played a factor in the first death in this country.
Reports out of Alberta say an elderly woman known to have had the disease died on Thursday, the first case of the ailment possibly turning fatal here. But it's not clear if the senior actually succumbed because of the flu or if she passed away from some other cause and the illness was just an aggravating factor.
Alberta's Health Minister says he has no information about the death either way and that experts will have to determine the actual reason for her passing.
All the other cases in Canada up to this point have been mild. And while the death toll stands at 44 in Mexico, the perceived originating point of the bug, there have only been two other confirmed fatal cases anywhere else in the world.
A young Mexican boy succumbed last month after being bought to Houston, Texas for treatment. And a 33-year-old Texas woman was taken by the disease two days ago, the first U.S. citizen to die from the strain.
The news follows another first in Ontario - the youngest patient infected so far. A three-year-old from this province has been confirmed to have the virus.
Acting chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams announced the new numbers Thursday afternoon with the toddler being one of seven new cases. There were three in Toronto, two in York Region, one in Peel and one in Sudbury, bringing the province's total to 56.
All of the cases here have been mild and those infected are either on the mend or have fully recovered.
Canada has 214 cases overall.
Earlier in the day, officials confirmed a student at Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School had contracted the virus.
The high school senior wasn't at school when she was diagnosed and is now in good health. But she and her family have voluntarily quarantined themselves at home. There's no evidence the student had any link to Mexico.
Administrators have kept the school open, but are taking measures to inform students about the illness and have sent a letter home to parents (see it below.)
"In order to allay concerns and fears, the school has rightly organized a demonstration for students of proper hygiene, making certain that they understand what the H1N1 flu virus is, how it can be contracted and how you can protect yourself," revealed school board trustee Rob Davis.
The news comes a day after a worker at Princess Margaret Hospital tested positive for the virus.
But Dr. Williams is advising Ontarians to go about their daily routines and simply exercise common sense to avoid getting sick.
"It's like the flu season," he explained.
"So wash your hands frequently and use alcohol rubs if you haven't got a sink and water and soap. Clean common surfaces like doorknobs and counters and even things like TV monitor changers. Stay clear of people who are coughing or sneezing and cough or sneeze into the sleeve of your jacket or shirt. If you're ill, stay at home and monitor the situation."
That's advice officials in Saskatchewan will have to follow, after that province confirmed its first two cases of the ailment on Thursday. A teenage girl in Saskatoon and a woman in her 20s from Regina both have mild symptoms. Both had recently been to Mexico.
The World Health Organization has estimated up to two billion people could be infected by the strain if the current outbreak turns into a pandemic. The global body says in the past, flu pandemics have infected one-third of the world's population.
