The Office of the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer advises that provincial officials are continuing to work with Manitoba health-care providers and regional health authorities to watch for cases of severe respiratory illness (i.e., respiratory illness that requires hospital care) in Manitoba, especially in travellers returning from Mexico.
To date, there have been no reported cases of severe respiratory illness in Manitoba associated with travel in Mexico or the United States.
As usual, individuals who currently have symptoms of a severe respiratory illness (fever, new or increasing cough or shortness of breath) should contact their health-care provider. Any travel history should be provided to the health-care provider.
As with any infectious respiratory disease, Manitobans are encouraged to use routine precautionary measures.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, stay home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to reduce the spread of germs.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued travel health notices about swine flu in Mexico, California and Texas. For more information, go online.
For links to more information, visit the website. For health questions or more information on respiratory illness, Manitobans can phone Health Links–Info Santé at 788-8200 or toll-free at 1-888-315-9257.
