The World Health Organization has increased its alert level to Phase 5, one level below a pandemic. Manitoba officials have already been planning and responding to the current situation.
To date, there have been no reported cases of severe illness in Manitobans or Canadians who have travelled from H1N1 flu-affected areas.
The Manitoba government is working with health-care providers and organizations such as regional health authorities across the province to watch for and care for people with symptoms of flu-like illness.
The symptoms of flu, such as fever, aches, tiredness and cough, usually begin within two to three days of contact with the virus and almost always begin within five days.
If a week has gone by since you left Mexico or other H1N1 flu-affected areas and you do not have flu-like symptoms, you have no reason to worry about the possibility of having H1N1 flu.
If you do develop flu-like symptoms, you may be contagious for up to a week. You should:
• Stay home from school or work and limit contact with others to reduce the chance of infecting them.
• Reduce the spread of germs by avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth, covering your cough by coughing into your elbow or sleeve or using a tissue, and by washing your hands frequently.
• Contacting your health-care provider or Health Links–Info Santé if you are concerned that you may need care.
• As with all infectious respiratory diseases, all Manitobans are encouraged to use routine precautionary measures.
• Cover a cough by coughing into your elbow or sleeve or using a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Maintain your health by making healthy food choices, being physically active and getting enough sleep.
For links to more information, visit the H1N1 flu website at www.manitoba.ca. For personal advice on self-care or when to seek further care, Manitobans should contact their primary-care physician or other health-care provider or phone Health Links–Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1‑888‑315‑9257 (toll-free).
Health Planning and Response
Manitoba has been planning for a flu pandemic for several years and has a comprehensive system to address a pandemic. Provincial and regional officials are meeting regularly to ensure the implementation of plans is co-ordinated.
Provincial officials, regional health authorities and partners are ready and continue to work together to monitor the situation and ensure an appropriate response.
Updated information has been provided to the public through media interviews and website information.
In addition, the chief provincial public health officer and others from Manitoba Health and Healthy Living have sent letters to physicians, health-care providers, health-care organizations, governments, schools, universities, municipalities, First Nations communities, and business and labour organizations to provide information on the current H1N1 flu situation. These letters are posted on the H1N1 flu website at www.manitoba.ca.
For current information on travel health notices, warnings and advisories, visit: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/pub-eng.php.
Food Safety and Animal Health
H1N1 flu is not a food safety issue. Sick pigs do not enter the food chain.
Properly cooked pork is safe. There is no evidence that the H1N1 virus is transmitted through food. Pork should always be cooked with clear juices and no visible pinkness and to an internal temperature of 71 degrees C/160 degrees F.
Monitoring swine in Manitoba for a variety of flu viruses remains an ongoing process as part of provincial measures to increase the health and safety preparedness of the pork industry. So far, there is no evidence this new virus is circulating in Manitoba swine herds.
Manitoba veterinarians and the pork industry are constantly monitoring for new diseases. Swine flu among pigs is not unusual and is not usually fatal in swine. Swine flu has existed in Canada and Manitoba for a number of years.
Swine producers are reminded they need to maintain biosecurity measures in their barns and on their property. For the industry to protect itself, it is necessary for producers to restrict access to their barns and swine herds to authorized personnel who adhere to the high sanitary requirements that can prevent the introduction of the flu virus into their facility. People who are ill or have flu symptoms should not go into pig or poultry production facilities.
Owners of hobby farms with small numbers of swine are encouraged to monitor their livestock for flu symptoms and contact their veterinarian should these symptoms arise.
Owners of pets like dogs or cats don’t need to be concerned about the H1N1 flu. Owners of pet pigs should be aware swine and humans can trade viruses so they should follow the usual precautions, monitor the health of their pet and call a veterinarian if it shows signs of illness.
Additional information is available at www.manitoba.ca.
