Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is reporting 44 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu this past week based on positive lab tests reported from Cadham Provincial Laboratory. This brings the Manitoba total to 831 reported laboratory-confirmed cases. Manitoba has reported six H1N1 flu-related deaths.
The province continues to closely track Manitobans with severe respiratory illness. As of July 13, 20 individuals with severe respiratory illness required the support of a ventilator in intensive 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).
