Swine Flu kills boy, 7, and a woman in Vancouver area, 46 dead across Canada
Dr. Kendall - B.C.'s chief health officer
A seven-year-old B.C. boy has become the first fatality from the Pandemic Flu H1N1 – Swine Flu – while a woman also living in the Greater Vancouver area has died from the novel virus.
The deaths were announced as B.C. chalked up 382 lab confirmed cases but authorities also acknowledge that they are catching between 1 in 10 cases or 1 in 20 cases of Swine Flu in labs, meaning that B.C. could well have thousands more cases than official statistics would indicate.
Both deaths occurred in the Fraser Health Authority Region which coves eastern Greater Vancouver area.
46 people have died in Canada so far. 1,115 people have been hospitalized and there are 10,156 total lab confirmed cases. In Quebec, authorities announced more than 200 children at summer camp tested positive for Swine Flu. Quebec so far has 17 deaths and Ontario has 15.
“A young child from the Fraser Health region is the first known person in British Columbia to die from the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, while a young woman in the same health region has also died in connection with the H1N1 influenza outbreak,” said B.C. Chief Health Officer Perry Kendall
“Any death is a tragedy, and I extend my sympathies to the families at this very difficult time,” said Kendall. “As unfortunate and tragic as these cases are, it was not unexpected that British Columbia would see some deaths caused by or associated with the H1N1 flu virus.”
The child, who had underlying medical conditions increasing the risk of influenza complications, was admitted to hospital on Sunday and died within 24 hours of admission. Testing has confirmed the child did have the H1N1 flu virus.
The woman, who also had an underlying medical condition, was admitted to hospital last Wednesday. Although this patient was not confirmed to have the H1N1 flu virus herself, she resided with a person who did have the virus.
“These severe outcomes of the pandemic are a reminder that influenza is not to be trivialized,” said Dr. Danuta Skowronski, physician epidemiologist at the BC Centre for Disease Control. “It is important that people continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others. That means frequent hand washing, staying home if they’re sick, coughing or sneezing into the crook of the elbow sleeve and seeking care early in the case of underlying conditions or pregnancy.”
There have been 14 admissions to hospital in B.C. with five being sent to ICU.
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Posted by News Editor
on Jul 14 2009. Filed under Featured.
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