Four healthy people in their 20s who recently returned from trips to Mexico have become Ontario’s first confirmed cases of swine flu, provincial health authorities say.
Three of the patients, all female, live in Durham Region and the other, a male, is from York Region.
All are recovering at home from mild cases of the flu, Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s acting chief medical officer of health, said yesterday.
Canada’s total number of confirmed cases of the influenza grew to 13 yesterday as Alberta confirmed its first two cases, and British Columbia confirmed its third. Nova Scotia had previously reported four cases of the flu.
The previously unknown virus has claimed the lives of up to a suspected 159 Mexicans and sickened as many as 6,000. There are 68 confirmed cases in the United States and confirmed cases have been reported in Israel, New Zealand, Scotland and Spain.
The four Ontario residents had the same strain of swine influenza A H1N1 that is circulating in the United States and in Mexico, Williams said during a press conference yesterday afternoon in downtown Toronto. The four were seen within seven days of their return.
“All illnesses are mild and the individuals are recovering at home,” Williams said.
Williams had a warning for those with symptoms, though.
“When you are ill, you should limit your contact with family members and others until you are assessed. Wash your hands frequently. Cough into your sleeve,” Williams said.
Metro - Flu now in Ontario
Health experts are puzzled as to why the illnesses in the U.S. and Canada are milder than the cases in Mexico and are waiting for more data from Mexican authorities. Each Ontario patient suffered fever, cough and respiratory ailments, but none were hospitalized or given antiviral medication, said Williams.
He did not provide further information as to where the four travelled, what they were doing in Mexico or who they travelled with other than to say some of the four did travel together. Another 20 potential cases are under investigation, said Williams, but he cautioned those numbers are fluid.
Premier Dalton McGuinty encouraged Ontario residents to “stay calm” and trust the government has well learned the painful lessons of SARS.
Three of the patients, all female, live in Durham Region and the other, a male, is from York Region.
All are recovering at home from mild cases of the flu, Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s acting chief medical officer of health, said yesterday.
Canada’s total number of confirmed cases of the influenza grew to 13 yesterday as Alberta confirmed its first two cases, and British Columbia confirmed its third. Nova Scotia had previously reported four cases of the flu.
The previously unknown virus has claimed the lives of up to a suspected 159 Mexicans and sickened as many as 6,000. There are 68 confirmed cases in the United States and confirmed cases have been reported in Israel, New Zealand, Scotland and Spain.
The four Ontario residents had the same strain of swine influenza A H1N1 that is circulating in the United States and in Mexico, Williams said during a press conference yesterday afternoon in downtown Toronto. The four were seen within seven days of their return.
“All illnesses are mild and the individuals are recovering at home,” Williams said.
Williams had a warning for those with symptoms, though.
“When you are ill, you should limit your contact with family members and others until you are assessed. Wash your hands frequently. Cough into your sleeve,” Williams said.
Metro - Flu now in Ontario
Health experts are puzzled as to why the illnesses in the U.S. and Canada are milder than the cases in Mexico and are waiting for more data from Mexican authorities. Each Ontario patient suffered fever, cough and respiratory ailments, but none were hospitalized or given antiviral medication, said Williams.
He did not provide further information as to where the four travelled, what they were doing in Mexico or who they travelled with other than to say some of the four did travel together. Another 20 potential cases are under investigation, said Williams, but he cautioned those numbers are fluid.
Premier Dalton McGuinty encouraged Ontario residents to “stay calm” and trust the government has well learned the painful lessons of SARS.
