H1N1 Information Group

Comment

Comment by SouthShoreNow on November 9, 2009 at 10:18am

Remember to check our H1N1 information group for the latest updates....

Comment by Carolyn on November 3, 2009 at 1:25pm

Health Promotion and Protection
October 30, 2009 4:32 PM
NOTE: A social-media version of this release, including hi-res, downloadable photographs, video and audio clips is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2009-10-30-h1n1.asp .
Because of national vaccine supply issues, Nova Scotia is changing its immunization strategy.

Starting Monday, Nov. 2, H1N1 vaccine will be limited to those most at risk from the virus. These are:
-- Pregnant women
-- Children younger than five (from six months to 59 months)
-- People living in First Nations communities
-- Health-care workers in district health authorities, long-term care facilities and home-care agencies who provide direct care to patients. This includes family physicians, family practice nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

People who do not belong to one of these groups will not receive vaccine at this time.

The province will re-assess its vaccine supply on an ongoing basis, and will offer immunization later to other groups, based on risk, as vaccine supply allows.

"Today, because of the changing supply of vaccine, we're adjusting our strategy to protect the most vulnerable Nova Scotians first," said Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief public health officer.

"I know people are concerned and have questions. I ask for Nova Scotians' patience, calm and understanding as we work through these challenges."

Physicians' offices will not receive H1N1 vaccine until further notice. Physicians who have received vaccine will be asked to only immunize people in the groups listed. Workplace immunization clinics for H1N1 will be postponed until further notice.

Nova Scotians should watch for advertisements in their community, or visit www.gov.ns.ca/h1n1, for the most up-to-date information on community immunization clinics.

As of today, Oct. 30, Nova Scotia has received 160,000 doses of adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine. The province expects to receive 12,500 doses of adjuvanted vaccine and 5,400 of unadjuvanted next week, significantly less than expected.

Vaccine is being delivered to the provinces and territories weekly by the Public Health Agency of Canada, after each batch is quality tested. The supply each province receives is based on population.

Dr. Strang said those not immunized right away should still take precautions to avoid illness:

-- Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after a sneeze or cough. When soap and water are not handy, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an acceptable alternative.
-- Cough and sneeze into elbow or sleeve.
-- If using tissues, dispose of them appropriately and wash hands.
-- Limit touching eyes, nose and mouth.
-- Do not share drinking glasses, water bottles, mouth guards, cosmetics or eating utensils.
-- Those with flu-like symptoms who are younger than five, pregnant, or younger than 65 with a chronic medical condition for which they receive regular medical care, should go to a family physician's office, walk-in clinic or flu assessment centre.
-- People with severe flu-like symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, severe vomiting, high fever for more than three days, and confusion, should call 911 or go immediately to the local emergency room.
-- People with flu-like symptoms who are otherwise healthy should stay home until they are feeling well. If their condition worsens, they should seek medical care.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

Because of national vaccine supply issues, Nova Scotia

is changing its immunization strategy.

Starting Monday, Nov. 2, H1N1 vaccine will be limited

to those most at risk from the virus which are pregnant

women, children younger than five, people living in First

Nations communities and most health-care workers.

People who do not belong to one of these groups will

not receive vaccine at this time.

The province will re-assess its vaccine supply on an

ongoing basis, and will offer immunization later to other

groups, based on risk, as vaccine supply allows.

Doctor Robert Strang, the province's chief public

health officer, says because of the changing supply of

vaccine, strategy is being adjusted to protect the most

vulnerable Nova Scotians first.

He asks for Nova Scotians' patience, calm and

understanding.

Physicians' offices will not receive H1N1 vaccine until

further notice. Physicians who have received vaccine will be

asked to only immunize people in the groups listed.

Workplace clinics will be postponed.

Nova Scotians should watch for ads or visit w-w-w dot

gov dot n-s dot c-a slash h-1-n-1, for the most up-to-

date information on community immunization clinics.

-30-

Media Contact: Rachel Boomer
Health Promotion and Protection
902-424-5323
Cell: 902-222-0266
E-mail: rachel.boomer@gov.ns.ca

Comment by Carolyn on August 28, 2009 at 4:59pm

QUOTE:

August 21

In Nova Scotia, there have been 17 hospitalized cases and one death associated with the H1N1 (human swine influenza) virus since the outbreak started on April 26. More information can be found in our weekly publication: Respiratory Watch.

Important Update: The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued new advice for those with H1N1. Nova Scotians with H1N1 will no longer have to stay at home for seven days. As of August 20, Nova Scotians are being advised to stay home and minimize contact with others until they are: symptom-free, feeling well and able to resume normal day-to-day activities. The advice for health care professionals continues to be to stay at home for seven days.

Comment by Carolyn on August 28, 2009 at 4:57pm

Hi Karen- what do you mean by a H1N1 kit? Interested...

Thanks

Comment by Carolyn on August 5, 2009 at 6:13pm

From Gov website...July 31

There have been 529 confirmed cases of H1N1 (human swine influenza) in Nova Scotia. There have been 13 hospitalized cases and one death since the outbreak started on April 26. We will update this website as new information becomes available. It is fully expected the number of cases will fluctuate during the coming weeks and months just like we're seeing in other provinces and territories. More information about H1N1 and other flu-like illnesses can be found in our weekly publication: Respiratory Watch.

Comment by Carolyn on July 30, 2009 at 2:59pm

July 29

There have been 491 confirmed cases of H1N1 (human swine influenza) in Nova Scotia. There have been 12 hospitalized cases and one death since the outbreak started on April 26. We will update this website as new information becomes available. It is fully expected the number of cases will fluctuate during the coming weeks and months just like we're seeing in other provinces and territories.

Comment by Carolyn on July 23, 2009 at 12:31pm

July 20

There have been 408 confirmed cases of H1N1 (human swine influenza) in Nova Scotia. One additional hospitalized case was confirmed today, July 20. That brings the province's total number of hospitalized cases to ten since the outbreak started on April 26. We will update this website as new information becomes available. It is fully expected the number of cases will fluctuate during the coming weeks and months just like we're seeing in other provinces and territories.

More info here http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/cdpc/h1n1-influenza.asp

Comment by Carolyn on July 22, 2009 at 10:13am

H1N1 (Human Swine Influenza) Update, July 9

Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief public health officer, reminded Nova Scotians today, July 9, that the H1N1 (human swine influenza) virus is still spreading in Nova Scotia and people need to take necessary precautions.

"We are in a pandemic and fully expect it to continue throughout the summer and the fall," said Dr. Strang. "As expected, there continues to be an increase in the number of new cases of H1N1 in Nova Scotia. We are also seeing more severe cases."

Dr. Strang said that although we are seeing more severe cases, the majority of cases of H1N1 continue to behave like the typical flu and people can be treated at home. That being said, he called on Nova Scotians to make every effort to minimize the spread of the virus.

"As we have said previously, as we see more cases, we fully expect to see more severe cases and even deaths," Dr. Strang said. "This is a serious disease. People must take the necessary precautions."

To stay well, people should:
-- Wash hands thoroughly and often
-- Cough into arms or sleeves
-- Frequently clean commonly used surfaces like kitchen countertops and doorknobs
-- If attending festivals, concerts or other events and can't wash their hands often, people should bring hand sanitizer with them.

Click here for more of this update

Comment by Carolyn on July 20, 2009 at 6:16pm

Swine flu confirmed - SOUTHSHORENOW

posted on 07/20/09

The South Shore health district had its first confirmed case of H1N1 last week, commonly known as the swine flu.

In addition to the first case in the community, three cases have also been confirmed at Camp Kadimah in Barss Corner.

South Shore Health’s medical officer of health, Dr. Richard Gould, said the mildly ill children are isolated from the general camp population and will remain in isolation until after the seven-day infectious period.

Since the virus is circulating in the community, South Shore Health is reminding the public to take precautions to help minimize the spread.

“Assume the virus is out there,” advised Dr. Gould. “The one thing that is really important is if someone develops flu-like symptoms with a cough, fever, aches ... that they stay home for seven days from the onset of symptoms. Assume that it’s probably H1N1.”

He said the best way to prevent contracting the virus is to wash your hands thoroughly and often, cover your coughs and sneezes, and clean and disinfect common surfaces and items such as doorknobs and counters frequently. He cautions the virus can remain on surfaces for a few hours after contamination.

If flu-like symptoms develop, Dr. Gould said it is not necessary to seek medical attention if the symptoms are mild. But, he said, if symptoms worsen you should visit your physician or a walk-in clinic.

Dr. Gould added it is expected the virus will continue to circulate over the next few months.