SWINE INFLUENZA VIRUS UNDER SURVEILLANCE

Update: 9 a.m. PST, April 28, 2009

VICTORIA – British Columbia is working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada, which, in turn, is working with health officials from the United States and Mexico to investigate an outbreak of swine influenza. Two human cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and both are recovering.

What is swine flu?

· Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of flu in pigs.

· The symptoms of swine flu in people can be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and include fever, cough, headache, general aches, fatigue and other symptoms. Some people with swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

How many cases of swine influenza virus are there in B.C.?

· BC Centre for Disease Control laboratories have confirmed that two individuals in British Columbia have tested positive for the swine flu virus that has caused illness in the United States and Mexico. The specimens have been sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg to be tested there as well.

· Both patients exhibited influenza like illness and not severe respiratory illness.

· Clinicians and public health partners around the province have been notified to increase vigilance and continue to report unusual clusters or cases of severe respiratory illnesses (SRI), particularly in travellers returning from Mexico or the United States.

Current status of outbreak

· The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) was alerted to clusters of severe respiratory illnesses in some cities in Mexico. PHAC notified the Provincial Health Officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) on April 20. BCCDC and health authorities then notified clinician and public health partners around the province.

· The Mexican government indicates almost 2,000 reports of severe respiratory illness in Mexico, including at least 20 confirmed deaths from swine influenza and dozens more suspected cases, with many among young adults.

· On April 27, the WHO raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 3 to phase 4. The change to a higher phase indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable.

· As further information becomes available, WHO may decide to either revert to phase 3 or raise the level of alert to another phase.

· The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has reported 40 cases of human swine flu in California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and New York City. PHAC has alerted provinces and territories on this issue.

· U.S. health officials have determined that the swine flu virus causing mild illness in the United States is the same strain as the virus linked to dozens of cases of severe respiratory illness among humans in Mexico. The U.S. has declared a public health emergency.

· Two mild cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Scotland and the patients are recovering. There is one confirmed swine flu case in Spain.

· In Canada, there are currently two cases of swine influenza confirmed in British Columbia and four cases confirmed in Nova Scotia. All the cases reported so far have been relatively mild.

What precautions can people take?

· If you have a fever or cough illness, regardless of where you have travelled, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. See a health care provider if your symptoms become worse but call ahead of time to let them know you have fever or cough illness.

· The U.S. CDC has determined that the swine flu virus is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, they have not determined how easily the virus spreads between people. As with any infectious disease, the following are recommended standard precautionary measures:

o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. When you cough, do so into your sleeve if possible.

o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

o Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

o If you get sick, stay home from school or work and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

How do people get it?

· Human infections with flu viruses from pigs can occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig production barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. However, as recently demonstrated in the U.S., human-to-human transmission is also possible.

· Influenza and other respiratory infections are transmitted from person to person via the respiratory route. Coughs and sneezes release the germs into the air where they can be breathed in by others.

· Germs can also rest on hard surfaces like counters and doorknobs, where they can be picked up on hands and transmitted to the respiratory system when someone touches their mouth and/or nose.

Can I get swine flu from eating pork?

· No. Swine flu is not a food safety concern.

· Proper cooking of pork products would kill any viruses. Additionally, swine exhibiting symptoms of influenza would not pass tests to enter into the food market.

Will government be issuing a travel advisory?

· PHAC has issued a travel health warning for Mexico. Travellers from Canada are recommended to postpone elective or non-essential travel to Mexico until further notice.

· PHAC issued a separate travel health notice regarding swine flu in the United States and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

· The World Health Organization is monitoring the situation closely.

· Travellers should follow the same precautionary measures that are recommended to protect against seasonal influenza –practising frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill. Since seasonal influenza continues across the world, for those with high risk conditions travelling anywhere in the world, a flu shot will help protect against illness due to human influenza viruses. However, it is not expected to protect against swine influenza.

What do I do if I’ve been to Mexico or the U.S. and I have symptoms of a respiratory illness?

· If you have recently been to Mexico, the U.S. or any other region where swine influenza cases are being reported, and are exhibiting symptoms of a new respiratory illness with fever, you should get in contact with your health care professional to discuss your symptoms. Make sure to tell your health care professional about your travel history.

Where I can find more information?

· Public can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, 24 hours a day/seven days a week if they have questions/concerns, or if feeling ill.

· Learn how to protect yourself against flu at http://fightflu.ca/howdoyoufightflu-eng.html

· The travel health warning for Mexico issued by PHAC can be found at

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2009/hsf-mexico-090427-eng.php

· The travel health notice for the United States issued by PHAC can be found at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2009/swine_flu_cal-tex-090427-eng.php

· Additional information can be found at:

o Government of Nova Scotia at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/20090426001HPP.asp

o U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/investigation.htm

o Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine_200904-eng.php

o World Health Organization www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

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Media contact:	Ministry of Health Services Public Affairs Bureau 250 942-1887

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