Tripartite Partners Respond to H1N1 influenza
Weekly H1N1 Influenza Updates - First Nations Inuit Health
Weekly updates are provided here by First Nations and Inuit Health, British Columbia Region, Health Canada
November 1- November 22, 2009
October 26 - November 1 , 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total cases reported for BC Region is 57. 2 of these were children. There are many individuals with colds which is normal for this time of year. The majority are recovering within several days.
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reports of 201cases of ILI, with the majority of these having mild illness. Treatment with Tamiflu is being reported. There is reporting of up to 25 individuals with ILI in a single community.
Hospitalized with ILI: 6 cases hospitalized.
Lab confirmed H1N1: 11 new cases of lab confirmed H1N1 reported this week.
Vaccinations with H1N1 are being offered in most FN communities.
Synopsis of current week:
There are reports for the current week of a number of school and facility closures in FN communities due to a significant number of students or staff absent with ILI. The reason for closures is related to administrative challenges with increased numbers of individuals away and is Not related to the severity of illness in these communities.
Communities are following Provincial and Federal guidelines with regard to self isolation, covering your cough and handwashing. Tamiflu is being replenished in remote communities as it is used.
October 19 - 25, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total cases reported for BC Region is 54. 4 of these were children. There are many individuals with colds which is normal for this time of year. The majority are recovering within several days.
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reports of 146 cases of ILI, with the majority of these having mild illness and 30% having recovered. Treatment with Tamiflu is being reported. 22 cases of ILI were reported in children. 15 of these were students from a single school. 1 prenatal case was reported.
Hospitalized with ILI: 4 cases hospitalized. 1 of these cases has been discharged.
Lab confirmed H1N1: 3 new cases of lab confirmed H1N1 reported this week.
Vaccinations with H1N1 has started in many FN communities.
October 12 -18, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total cases reported for BC Region is 91. 13 of the 91 were children.
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reports of 84 cases of ILI, with the majority of these having mild illness. Treatment with Tamiflu is being widely reported. 5 cases of ILI were reported in children with the majority having recovered. 1 prenatal case was treated with Tamiflu.
Hospitalized with ILI: 3 cases hospitalized. 1 case was hospitalized but discharged the following day.
Lab confirmed H1N1: 6 new cases of lab confirmed H1N1 reported this week.
October 5 - 11, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total cases reported for BC Region is 40, with the majority of these individuals having recovered. 26 of the 40 were children (< 18 years). 50% of these were distributed throughout BC FN communities with 1 community in Interior Health Authority (IHA) having 21 children < 18 years with Respiratory symptoms, all of which have resolved.
2 children were treated with Tamiflu.
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reports of 58 cases of ILI, with the majority of these having mild illness and most have recovered. Tamiflu was reported as being provided to 12 individuals in Northern Health Authority.
10 individuals were provided Tamiflu from the prepositioned stock in . 21 cases of ILI were in children with the majority having recovered. 1 prenatal client which was tested for H1N1 with results pending,
Hospitalized with ILI: None reported
Lab confirmed H1N1: 2 new cases of lab confirmed H1N1 reported from IHA this week, both with mild illness and one has recovered.
October 7th, 2009
Summary of Weekly H1N1 Activity Reports for BC FN Communities for September 28 - October 4, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 39 with the majority of these being sinus colds and no serious illness. 4 of the 39 were children . 1 was an infant. The majority were distributed throughout BC FN communities with 1 community in Northern Health Authority having 12 cases with Respiratory symptoms. Many of these have resolved
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reports of 69 cases of ILI, with the majority of these not having serious illness and many recovered or recovering. Antibiotics were prescribed to 2 individuals. Many of these individuals were referred to a GP. 6 cases of ILI were in children with the majority having recovered. 2 prenatal clients, 2 children and one adult were prescribed antivirals.
24 cases occurred in 1 community in Interior Health Authority. 3 community information sessions by physicians were presented to 175 people attending from this community. All eligible individuals are taking antivirals and staying at home while ill.
Hospitalized with ILI: 1 individuals was hospitalized with ILI and was discharged within 6 hours and is recovering
Lab confirmed H1N1: 1 new case of lab confirmed H1N1 reported this week
which has recovered.
ILI Related Medivacs: 0
September 30th, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 20
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reported for BC Region is 45 (4 identified as children resolved/resolving; 2 idendtified as elders)
Hospitalized with ILI: 0
Lab confirmed H1N1: 1
Related Medivac: 0
September 28th, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 1
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reported for BC Region is 27
Hospitalized with ILI: 0
Lab confirmed H1N1: 0
No new reports from Vancouver Island Health Authority
Total to date confirmed VIHA 8
Related Medivac: 0
September 25th, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 2
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reported for BC Region is 4
One community reported one daycare facility closed due to staff members were ill
Hospitalized with ILI: 0
Lab confirmed H1N1: 0
Total to date confirmed VIHA 8
Related Medivac: 0
September 23rd, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 60 or more;
4 - identified as children
9 cases reported had symptoms starting in previous weeks
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reported for BC Region is 38
2 - identified as children
One Vancouver Island had a cluster of ILI last week: Most households reporting at least one household member having ILI; Sept. 17 - 20 clients given Tamiflu treatment, and several community members received Tamiflu treatment from their GP.
9 people had nasal swabs taken on Sept. 16/09 and 5 came back positive for Influenza A - but still pending confirmation of H1N1.
Hospitalized with ILI: 3
Lab confirmed H1N1: 2 this week
Total to date confirmed VIHA 8
Related Medivac: 1
September 21st, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 1
One Vancouver Island had a cluster of ILI last week but no new reports received.
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reported for BC Region is 3
Hospitalized with ILI: 0
Lab confirmed H1N1: 0 this week
September 18th, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 9
One Vancouver Island may be having a cluster of ILI but no new reports received since Wednesday Sept. 16/09
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reported for BC Region is 1
Hospitalized with ILI: 0
Lab confirmed H1N1: 0 this week
1 Death Lab Confirmed H1N1 This was previously reported
September 16th, 2009
Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) is reporting that a First Nations individual from the south island was admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of influenza A and is in critical condition. Sub-type confirmation of H1N1 is pending. The individual has pre-existing conditions which increase her risk for severe respiratory compromise. The individual lives in an extremely crowded household and an infant from the same household was also admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of influenza.
Antivirals are being distributed to the community. Pediatric formulation is being sent by the BCCDC, for use if needed.
FNIH - BC Region is in contact with VIHA and the Inter Tribal Health Authority (ITHA) to provide assistance and support to the community.
Overall Numbers
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 18 (4 identified as children)
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total report of 8 cases of ILI. + (12 cases of ILI not previously reported for week Aug 29 - Sept 6)
Hospitalized with ILI: 2
Lab confirmed H1N1: 1 this week
August 31 - Sept 6, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 11
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reports of 6 cases of ILI, with one seen by a GP and was informed it was cold/virus combo and given cough syrup.
Hospitalized with ILI: 0
Lab confirmed H1N1: 0
August 24 - 30, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 16 with the majority of these being sinus colds and no serious illness. Most of these have recovered. 4 of the 16 were children . These were distributed throughout BC FN communities.
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reports of 25 cases of ILI, with no serious illness reported and most of these having recovered or resolving.
Antibiotics were prescribed to 1 individual. Many of these individuals were referred to a GP. 3 cases of ILI were in children with all 3 resolving. 11 cases reside in 1 BC FN community, all of which have are resolving. The remaining cases were distributed throughout BC FN communities.
Hospitalized with ILI: 0
Lab confirmed H1N1: There was 1 new case of lab confirmed H1N1 reported this week in a First Nations youth who is now recovering. Please see Monday, August
31 report for details. There have been a number of additional cases of ILI in that community which will be reported next week. There has been no serious illness reported.
All cases of lab confirmed H1N1 previously identified are recovering. One remains in hospital.
August 17 - 23, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 42 with the majority of these being sinus colds and no serious illness. Most of these have recovered. 2 of the 42 were children . The majority were distributed throughout BC FN communities with 2 communities having 8 and 9 cases of Respiratory symptoms.
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reports of 28 cases of ILI, with the majority of these not having serious illness and having recovered.
Antibiotics were prescribed to 2 individuals. Many of these individuals were referred to a GP. 10 cases of ILI were in children with the majority having recovered.
Hospitalized with ILI: 2 individuals were hospitalized with ILI and both have been discharged and are recovering
Lab confirmed H1N1: There were no new cases of lab confirmed H1N1 reported
this week. All cases previously identified are recovering. One remains in
hospital.
August 10 - 16, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: Total reported for BC Region is 36 with the majority of these being sinus colds and no serious illness. 2 of the 36 were children with one of these being referred to a GP for asthma. 20 of these came from one small community, with no evidence of ILI in the community.
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): Total reports of 35 cases of ILI, with the majority of these not having serious illness and having recovered.
Antibiotics were prescribed to 2 individuals. Many of these individuals were referred to a GP.
Hospitalized with ILI: 2 individuals were hospitalized with ILI and both have been discharged and are recovering
Lab confirmed H1N1: 1 new case of lab confirmed H1N1 in an adult with no
risk factors or underlying medical conditions. Client was hospitalized
with pneumonia for 3 days but has been discharged and is improving daily.
August 12, 2009
Respiratory Symptoms Only: 7 adults, 4 children, most of these have recovered, 1 child and 1 adult were treated with antibiotics Cases of Respiratory symptoms only were distributed around the province, except 1 community which had 2 adults and 1 child, all of which have recovered.
Influenza Like Illness (ILI): 9 adults and 2 children, 1 of the adults was diagnosed as “likely H1N1” but not tested and has recovered.
Cases of ILI were distributed around the province with only 1 community that had > 1 case (2 cases).
No additional activity to report.
Several unfounded rumours of lab confirmed H1N1 resulted in considerable time spent by FNIH Health Protection and the Regional Health Authorities communicating with community leaders, and HCWs. This created an opportunity to review the importance of Community pandemic planning and strengthened linkages amongst communities, Regional Health Authorities, FNIH, and the First Nations Health Council.
August 5, 2009
No new cases of lab confirmed H1N1 in BC FN communities
Weekly H1N1 activity reports from FN communities in BC for the reporting week of July 26 - August 4th indicate:
- ~ 20 individuals with respiratory symptoms only with no accompanying ILI (most have resolved)
- 10 isolated cases of ILI (no clusters) which have mostly resolved
July 31, 2009
FNIH - BC is working with the BCCDC and Tripartite partners to develop a layered approach for H1N1 surveillance in FN, remote and isolated communities. This approach includes the following:
Exploration of expansion of routine FluWatch ILI sentinel surveillance
(PHAC)
Routine reporting of hospitalized case with ethnicity identifier (BC,
PHAC)
FNIH community surveillance for respiratory symptoms, ILI, medevacs,
hospitalizations, and confirmed H1N1
Tracking and laboratory confirmation of community cases treated with
Tamiflu
Point of Care (POC) tests in remote and isolated sentinel sites to
trigger public health response
POC tests will be implemented during the 2009-10 influenza season in
sentinel remote and isolated sites which do not have reliable or timely
access to laboratory confirmation for influenza. Although the
sensitivity of POC tests is lower than for laboratory tests, they are
useful for detecting outbreaks. Since numerous different viruses can
cause ILIs, diagnostic test confirmation is essential to determining
whether interventions specific to influenza are effective.
POC tests will not be used for individual diagnosis and treatment, but
will be used as a trigger for public health interventions, such as the
release of antivirals in the sentinel and surrounding communities.
The FNIH - BC Regional Medical Officer is participating on the Pandemic Coordinating Committee’s (PCC) FPT Task Groups on Remote and isolated Communities and Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory and is involved with establishing guidelines for H1N1 surveillance in remote and isolated communities.
July 23, 2009
Fraser Health Authority has reported that a First Nations individual admitted to ICU on July 22 has been confirmed positive for H1N1.
The woman has several comorbid conditions which place her at risk for any respiratory infection.
The only other known cases of ILI in the woman’s community are two members of her immediate family, one of which has also been confirmed with H1N1.
Both have experienced only mild illness.
FNIH-BC is working with Fraser Health Authority to monitor the situation and address concerns of the community.
July 22, 2009
No new case of H1N1 have been reported in BC First Nations.
One of the two cases previously reported as “probable” has now been confirmed as negative for H1N1.
July 17, 2009
BC Region Report:
Two probable cases of H1N1 in First Nations have been reported in the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCHA) in the same community as last week’s confirmed case.
One probable is the sibling of last week’s confirmed case. The child had a brief hospital admission, was positive for influenza A, but was diagnosed and treated for a bacterial infection.
Neither probable case required antivirals and both are recovering at home.
Community education and surveillance is ongoing.
July 15, 2009
BC Region Report:
No new cases of H1N1 have been reported for FN communities in BC.
2 previously reported cases from 2 different communities have recovered Health Protection is working with the Health Authorities and the Province to monitor the situation in both communities.
Community consultation and education events are being organized for these communities
July 13, 2009
BC Region Report:
BC has 2 cases of lab confirmed H1N1 in First Nations communities:
- 1 in Vancouver Coastal Health Authority (VCH)
- child
- this case had mild ILI and has recovered.
- there have been a few cases of mild ILI in this community
- Antiviral (Tamilflu) was not prescribed
- 1 in Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA)
-adult
- had mild ILI and has recovered
- Antiviral (Tamilflu) was not prescribed
Antivirals are prepositioned in both communities and will be released for use under the direction of the regional MHO.
Health Protection is working with the Health Authorities and the Province to monitor the situation.
Community consultation and education events are being organized for these communities.
June 26th, 2009
Nil to Report
June 25th, 2009
Nil to Report
June 24th, 2009
Nil to Report
June 22nd, 2009
Nil to Report
June 19th, 2009
Nil to Report
June 18th, 2009
Nil to Report
June 17th, 2009
FNIH will be working with the BCCDC and the Province of BC to develop provincial guidelines on the use of antivirals in remote communities.
Similar guidelines are being developed by other jurisdictions and at the federal level and this work will be incorporated into the BC guidelines.
June 16th, 2009
Nil to report.
June 15th, 2009
Nil to report.
June 14th, 2009
Nil to report.
June 13th, 2009
General situation unchanged.
Data collection for the Burns Lake Influenza Survey has been completed
and is in the stages of initial analysis. BCCDC interviewed 266
consenting households, collecting information on 1050 individuals, of
which approximately 30% were First Nations. Laboratory confirmation of
swine flu is not available for persons reporting illness in this survey.
An update on the analysis is expected in two weeks.
June 8th, 2009
Nil to report.
June 6th, 2009
Nil to report.
What is the general situation related to flu illnesses in the communities?
In BC, H1N1 continues to behave in a manner similar to regular seasonal
influenza.
Are any new clusters emerging? Is there any indication of declining
incidence?
As previously.
Are there more than expected numbers for medivacs/hospitalizations?
At this point there do not appear to be an excess number of medivacs or
hospitalizations in BC Region.
Are there any difficulties with hospital placements or accommodation?
No.
What is the state of our work with the Province?
Good.
Are there any other developments related to the issues?
No.
June 5th, 2009
What is the general situation related to flu illnesses in the communities?
In BC, H1N1 continues to behave in a manner similar to regular seasonal
influenza.
Are any new clusters emerging? Is there any indication of declining
incidence?
Two communities in Northern BC have noted an increase in influenza-like
illnesses (ILIs) over the past two weeks. Four individuals from these
communities were sent to Prince George Hospital, however to date, none
have been confirmed to have H1N1 influenza. H1N1 has in fact been ruled
out in 3 of the 4 hospitalized cases.
Are there more than expected numbers for medivacs/hospitalizations?
Medivacs and hospitalizations from FN communities occur practically
every day for a variety of reasons and medical conditions. Environmental
conditions, including forest fires, may exacerbate chronic conditions
and lead to medivacs. Occasionally, when an individual is sent to a
secondary or tertiary care centre, it is determined that medivac was not
actually required. Thus number of medivacs/hospitalizations alone,
without confirmation of diagnosis from the referral site may not be a
valid, specific or sensitive indicator of H1N1 disease in FN
communities.
At this point there do not appear to be an excess number of medivacs or
hospitalizations in BC Region.
Are there any difficulties with hospital placements or accommodation?
No.
What is the state of our work with the Province?
Below is an issue note produced by the Province of BC with FNIH input:
B.C. has an extremely vigilant and responsive public health system in
place that alerts us to any influenza-like illnesses throughout the
entire province, including First Nations communities.
B.C. is the only province with a formal Tripartite Agreement
in place that ensures First Nations communities have a strong and close
relationship with the regional health authorities (and Health Canada)
and can therefore access information and services quickly and
efficiently.
• As soon as we learned about H1N1, we were in contact with all
First Nations communities in the province through the First Nations
Health Council.
• When students at a northern elementary school tested positive
for H1N1, Northern Health’s Medical Health Officers, the First Nations
Health Council, the province’s Aboriginal Health Physician Advisor, and
the First Nations and Inuit Health Medical Health Officer, all worked
quickly and closely with local health care workers, the school district
and community to ensure communications and supplies were immediately
available.
• I understand there are concerns in other jurisdictions that
some First Nations may be impacted more seriously by H1N1 human swine
flu virus because of some of the living conditions of those communities
and pre-existing ill health.
• It’s important to note that First Nations throughout many
communities in B.C. are generally better resourced, with lower levels of
respiratory illness than those in other parts of the country. This may
provide them with better conditions to resist severe respiratory
illnesses to begin with. This being said, vigilance is still important
and ongoing.
Are there any other developments related to the issues?
Dr. Alan Kendal, formerly of the Influenza Branch of the US Centers for
Disease Control, is working as special advisor to the BC Provincial
Medical Health Officer. Dr. Kendal has expressed concern that remote
populations, including First Nations, may not be included in research
looking at susceptibility to the new H1N1 human swine influenza virus.
First Nations have been included in very little vaccine development
research and this may place them at a disadvantage. Dr. Kendal is
seeking guidance and assistance in engaging FN leadership and
communities to participate in a study to commence this Sept.
June 4th, 2009
Two communities in Northern BC have noted an increase in influenza-like
illnesses (ILIs) over the past two weeks. Four individuals from these
communities were sent to Prince George Hospital, however to date, none
have been confirmed to have H1N1 influenza.
May 15, 2009
The Northern Health Authority (NHA) and the BC Centre for Disease Control
(BCCDC) will be starting an H1N1 follow-up investigation today in the Burns
Lake area to determine factors that may be important to the spread and
severity of H1N1 illness. The investigation will be done as a telephone
survey of households of schoolchildren in the Burns Lake area by staff of
the BCCDC. Households of all children, with and without reported illness or
school absenteeism, who attend any of the seven schools in Burns Lake, are
invited to participate. First Nations Health Council, Carrier Sekani Family
Services, and local First Nations leaders have been involved and
participation from First Nations communities is anticipated to be high. The
NHA Medical Health Officer will give a summary of key results to the Burns
Lake community once the analysis is done.
May 11, 2009
Decker Lake Elementary School reopened today.
May 8, 2009
Tests for the swine-flu virus in students at Hans Helgesen Elementary School have come back negative. The school was shut closed Tuesday due to high absenteeism. The school is expected to reopen Monday.
The Gathering Wisdom III Forum, scheduled for May 19-21, 2009, is being
postponed because Tripartite Partners do not wish to put undue strain on
the health human resource needs of First Nations communities at this
time. Attendees were to include First Nations Chiefs and Health
Directors,
May 7, 2009
Mild influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) have been reported in some BC First Nations communities.
The BCCDC is working with the BC Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport,
the Northern Health Authority, FNIH - Health Canada and representatives
from First Nations communities to develop a study looking at
determinants of risk of infection from H1N1 in closed settings, such as
schools.
May 6, 2009
The Chief Medical Health Officer for the Vancouver Island Health Authority has recommended a temporary closure of Hans Helgesen Elementary School in Metchosin due to increased incidents of influenza-like illness (ILI). To date, there have been no confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza virus (human swine flu) among students at this school. First Nations students attend Hans Helgesen school and some have reported mild ILI.
May 5, 2009
No cases of ILI/SRI have been reported in FN communities in BC.
FNIH has organized a teleconference at 11:00 AM today for Northern
communities to connect with the Northern Health Authority and ask
questions regarding the closure of a school in Northern BC.
May 4, 2009
No cases of ILI/SRI have been reported in FN communities in BC.
H1N1 influenza has been confirmed in a school in Northern BC. There were
no severe illnesses and many of the cases have already recovered.
Currently the epidemiology of H1N1 influenza in Canada indicates that it
is behaving in like regular seasonal influenza. First Nations children
are known attend this school.
FNIH has organized a teleconference at 11:00 AM tomorrow for Northern
communities to connect with the Northern Health Authority and ask
questions.
May 3, 2009
No cases of ILI/SRI have been reported in FN communities in BC.
FNIH is partitcipating on a BC provincial working group developing
Interim Guidelines on School Closure. These guidelines will help ensure
that schools are not closed needlessly, or without direction from public
health.
May 1, 2009
No cases of ILI/SRI have been reported in FN communities in BC.
Health Protection will continue weekly teleconferences with nurses and
Health Directors
Health Protection will be organizing teleconferences for Local health
Authorities which have not already made contact with FN communities
April 30, 2009
No cases of ILI/SRI have been reported in FN communities in BC.
There is one confirmed case of mild illness in a BC FN individual who
travelled to Mexico. This individual lives off-reserve in an urban
setting.
Dr. Evan Adams and Dr. Marcus Lem have drafted a letter to go out to the
FN community leadership for today from the BC Ministry and Health
Canada regarding the swine flu. Information has already gone out to
Health Directors and nurses.
A teleconference is planned for this morning at 10:30 AM for Health
Directors and FNIH and transfer nurses to reiterate the messaging which
has already occurred. FN Health Council will participate.
April 29, 2009
No cases of ILI/SRI have been reported in FN communities in BC
Dr. Evan Adams and Dr. Marcus Lem are drafting a letter to go out to the
FN community leadership for today from FN Health Council and Health
Canada regarding the swine flu. Information has already gone out to
Health Directors and nurses.
A teleconference is planned for tomorrow morning for Health Directors
and FNIH and transfer nurses to reiterate the messaging which has
already occurred. Derina Peters from FN Health Council will participate.
INAC has expressed an interest in being on the call.
Note: The media has reported on several travellers who have returned to
Canada from Mexico with a variety of illnesses. These reports may
include individuals who have self-identified as First Nations
(off-reserve). These are not confirmed cases of H1N1 swine influenza.
APRIL 28, 2009
No cases of ILI/SRI reported in FN communities in BC
The Canada-Mexico Policy Dialogue scheduled for May 6-8 at the Cowichan
Cultural Centre in Duncan, BC has been cancelled because the Mexican
offcials are required to stay at their posts
Their will be an International Gathering of Indigenous Chiefs hosted by
the T’it’q’qet community, near Lillooet, BC, starting Thurday April 29
and running through the weekend, Attendance is anticipated to be up to
750 people and will include a delegation from Mexico. Environmental
Health, FNIH and the local Medical Officer of Health have been notified
to assess the site.
April 27, 2009
No ILI cases have been reported in FN communites in BC.
We have sent out notification to FNIH and transfer nurses in the field
and will send updates.
Notification to Health Directors is being sent through nursing because
of greater reliability of the nursing contact list.
We have contacted all the provincial medical officers, the BC Ministry
of Health and the BCCDC and will be involved with and provincial or
local discussions regarding FN communities.
We are attending teleconference for the provincial medical officers at
2 PM daily.
We are confirming distribution plans for antivirals and other supplies
with the health authorities and BCCDC, should the need arise
We will continue our regular cycle of pandemic plan revision and
exercises across the region. We will discuss with the contractor this
week how new information should be incorporated into the materials.
We will continue our ongoing discussions with the health authorities,
PHAC and INAC regarding coordination and integration of our emergency
planning and pandemic preparedness actvities.
My Senior Nurse Manager, Shirley Rempel and I
are monitoring our emails off-hours and are availble by
cell phone.
The First Nations Health Council senior management team has been in daily communication with our Tripartite Partners to monitor, assess, and respond to the recent outbreak of Swine Influenza. Clinical support is being provided by Dr. Marcus Lem, Director, Health Protection, First Nations and Inuit Health and Dr. Evan Adams Aboriginal Physician Advisor, Ministry of Healthy Living & Sport.
It is important for communities to be prepared by developing, testing, and refining pandemic plans, as well as increasing surveillance efforts.
DOCUMENTS & RESOURCES:
A message from the First Nations Health Council | pdf download |
Tripartite Letter regarding the postponement of the Gathering Wisdom Forum | pdf download |
Tripartite Roles and Responsibilities | pdf download |
Tripartite Letter to BC First Nations | pdf download |
H1N1 FAQ’s: http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile108.stm
For more information on swine flu in B.C. and links to national and international sites, please visit: http://www.picnetbc.ca/page229.htm
Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors- H1N1 (Swine Flu) Patient Handout | pdf download |