17 New Confirmed Cases Of H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu) In Ontario

    All Cases Are Mild And Recovering At Home

    TORONTO, May 4 /CNW/ -

    NEWS

    Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health,
says there are 17 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu),
bringing the total number of cases in Ontario to 31.
    Laboratory testing has confirmed that the H1N1 flu virus is the same as
the one in Mexico and the United States.
    Today's overall case total is 31 because two of the 16 confirmed cases
reported Sunday now are being reassessed.
    The 17 new cases are in Durham, Simcoe Muskoka, Toronto, York, Peel,
Windsor-Essex, Oxford and Sudbury and District.
    All of the cases to date are considered mild.The breakdown of the Ontario cases is as follows:
    -   Eleven men and 20 women
    -   Nine are in Toronto, seven in York, six in Durham, four in Windsor-
        Essex, two in Peel, and one each in Oxford, Simcoe-Muskoka and
        Sudbury and District.
    -   The age range of the cases is 4 - 50.QUOTES

    "As expected, there has been a large increase in the number of confirmed
cases of the H1N1 flu virus and we look for the case total to continue to rise
as daily testing increases. Ontarians should continue to protect themselves
and those around them by washing hands frequently, coughing or sneezing into
your sleeve, and staying at home if they're sick."
    - Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health.

    "Our health care system is fully prepared to respond to the H1N1 flu
virus. I trust Ontarians will continue to follow the advice of our public
health officials on what they need to do to stay healthy and reduce the spread
of the virus."
    - David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.QUICK FACTS

    -   Symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) are similar to
        seasonal influenza (flu) including headache, chills and cough
        followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny
        nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting
        and diarrhea may occur in adults as well as in children. In more
        severe cases, or in people with chronic conditions, complications
        such as pneumonia may develop.
    -   People returning from Mexico who have symptoms of respiratory illness
        should contact their health care provider or call Telehealth Ontario
        at 1-866-797-0000.
    -   For general information on the human swine flu, call the
        ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-800-476-9708.

    LEARN MORE
    For more information about human swine flu
    (http://webx.newswire.ca/click/?id=0813f7c06df8080).
    To learn more about hand washing
    (http://webx.newswire.ca/click/?id=43d43f81213f0ee).
    Read about public health initiatives in the province
    (http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/project/ohp/ohp_mn.html).

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For further information: Steve Erwin, Minister's Office, [phone];
Mark Nesbitt, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, [phone]