Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is reporting the death of an adult between the age of 18 and 65 who had a lab-confirmed positive test for H1N1 influenza and other underlying medical conditions. This brings the total number of deaths associated with a lab-confirmed diagnosis of H1N1 influenza to 6 in Manitoba.
The province is also reporting 102 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu this past week based on positive lab tests. This brings the Manitoba total to 787 laboratory-confirmed cases.
The number of Manitobans with severe respiratory illness on ventilators continues to be tracked by the province. On July 6, 23 people with a severe respiratory illness required the support of a ventilator in an intensive-care unit. Manitoba has 186 ventilators located across the province as well as 15 ventilators from the national stockpile that have not been deployed.
Regions have plans in place to deal with surges of people who need care.
If you have symptoms of a more severe or serious illness such as shortness of breath, dehydration or severe weakness, then you should seek immediate medical care. If other symptoms such as coughs or fever get worse, you should also see your health-care provider. If serious symptoms appear, get worse or you do not get better as you normally would (within two to three days), you should promptly see your health-care provider even if you have already visited them about your illness.
While it has been estimated the vast majority of the individuals in Manitoba who have been infected with H1N1 have recovered without specific medical care or hospitalization, all people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home from work while they are ill and limit contact with others as much as possible to prevent the spread of illness.
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and you are concerned that you may need advice or care, do not hesitate to contact your health-care provider, visit your nearest health centre or call Health Links-Info Santé at 788 8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).
More information about the prevention and care of H1N1 flu is available on the flu website at www.manitoba.ca.
Summary of all lab confirmed H1N1 cases in Manitoba as of July 6:
Assiniboine: 20
Brandon: 35
Burntwood/Churchill: 166
Central: 19
Interlake: 47
NOR-MAN: 55
North Eastman: 53
Parkland: 15
South Eastman: 12
Winnipeg: 364
Unknown: 1
