Manitoba Health advises the H1N1 virus continues to circulate across the province and it is expected that serious illness will continue to occur. Two-thirds of Manitobans have yet to be vaccinated and up to half of Manitobans are susceptible to an H1N1 infection. All Manitobans who need, want and are expected to benefit from the H1N1 flu shot are encouraged to get one as soon as possible to get the maximum benefit from the vaccine.
Some Manitobans continue to be at higher risk for more severe illness from H1N1 including children under the age of five, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and people of Aboriginal ancestry. To date, about half of the children under the age of five and one-third of Aboriginal people have not yet been vaccinated. Three-quarters of pregnant women in Manitoba have not yet been vaccinated. A complete list of Manitobans considered at higher risk for severe illness from H1N1 is available at www.manitoba.ca/flu.
Between Dec. 8 and 14, no Manitobans with a positive H1N1 lab test or symptoms of a severe respiratory illness were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Sixteen Manitobans with a positive lab test for H1N1 have been admitted to ICU since the second wave began, according to reports provided to Manitoba Health. Of these, more than three-quarters were aged 18 to 64. In the first wave, 43 Manitobans were admitted to ICU with a positive lab test for H1N1. One-third of all Manitobans admitted to ICU had no underlying conditions.
Regional health authorities are planning new ways to reach more Manitobans in the coming weeks including:
• offering vaccination clinics through large local employers and post-secondary institutions;
• making the vaccine more accessible through clinics in smaller communities;
• making the vaccine available at doctors’ offices, long-term care facilities and other community-based programs;
• offering the H1N1 flu shot to Manitobans when they interact with the health-care system; and
• building on outreach programs to target vulnerable populations, like recent immigrants or the homeless.
Manitobans should contact their physician or regional health authority to find out how to get the H1N1 flu shot. In addition, eligible Manitobans are encouraged to get their seasonal flu and pneumococcal shots. This fall, 184,000 Manitobans have received their seasonal flu shot and 7,700 have received the pneumococcal shot.
Manitoba has received and distributed over a million doses of vaccine. As of yesterday, nearly 431,000 shots had been given, about 36 per cent of Manitobans. As of this morning, a total of 137 doctors’ offices have ordered over 23,000 doses of the vaccine.
During the week of Dec. 8 to 14, Cadham Provincial Laboratory reported 40 positive H1N1 tests to Manitoba Health. Since the second wave of H1N1 flu began on Oct. 6, the lab has reported a total of 1,737 positive H1N1 tests. Lab-confirmed cases do not reflect the actual number of people with the illness, nor do the numbers indicate the seriousness of illness any individual may experience.
As of Dec. 12 in Manitoba, there have been 15 serious adverse events following immunization which have been reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. There have been no reports of ongoing effects related to these adverse events. A total of 462 adverse events have been reported, varying from mild (reaction at the injection site, headache or coughing) to more severe reactions (anaphylaxis). It is important to note these adverse events have followed immunization but may not necessarily have been caused by immunization. Serious adverse events are investigated to determine the cause.
Manitobans are encouraged to contact their nearest health-care provider or visit the nearest health‑care centre if they have mild flu symptoms and risks for severe illness or are concerned they may need care, especially if symptoms are persistent or worsening. Early treatment with antiviral medication (ideally within 24 to 48 hours) may be very important.
Manitobans are reminded to watch for signs of severe illness. If you or a family member has any of the following symptoms, go directly to an emergency room, nursing station or health-care provider or call 911:
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing,
• severe or worsening symptoms,
• dehydration,
• drowsiness or confusion, or
• fever in an infant under three months old.
More information on H1N1 flu is available at www.manitoba.ca/flu or Health Links–Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).
