H1N1 flu virus

H1N1 Flu Virus

As of Friday, November 20, all British Columbians are now eligible to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine.

The majority of the H1N1 flu virus cases in British Columbia have been relatively mild and were detected by the Province’s robust and responsive public health surveillance system. The Province is prepared for the resurgence of the virus through the fall and winter flu season and towards the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in February and March.

Visit back often as new information and tools will be made available to inform the public and help people protect themselves against the H1N1 flu virus.

These resources will give you the most current information on the H1N1 situation in B.C.:

The weekly information bulletin, including severe case numbers (updated each Tuesday at noon)
The H1N1 media room
The HealthLink BC file on the H1N1 flu virus and the H1N1 flu vaccine.

OUR PLAN

As B.C. prepares for the fall influenza season, with both seasonal flu and the potential for a resurgence of the novel H1N1 flu virus, the Province is planning ahead to ensure measures are in place to protect the public, as well as the athletes and visitors that will come to our province during the 2010 Winter Games.

These measures include:

Vaccination roll-outs are well underway in local health authorities and all British Columbians are now eligible to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine. For more information, use the Flu Clinic Locator or call your local public health unit or your family physician. [News release]
Back-to-school informational packets were sent home through schools during the first week of classes. [News release]
Regular seasonal flu immunization programs. [News release]
A strategy to address distribution and availability of B.C.’s stockpile of antivirals.
Contingency planning for pressures that may be placed on B.C.’s health system by a resurgent H1N1 flu virus.

H1N1 Public Service Announcement

Click here to get the Flash Player to see this video.

GET THE FACTS ABOUT FLU AND STAY HEALTHY

Influenza is caused by viruses, and is generally spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Here are six simple, common sense precautions that can help safeguard everyone’s health:

1) Stay home when you’re sick or have influenza symptoms. Get plenty of rest and check with a health care provider as needed.

2) Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.

3) Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away immediately. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

Handwashing 4) Wash your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from getting sick. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers.

5) Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. You can become ill by touching a surface contaminated with germs and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

6) Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, and avoid smoking, which may increase the risk of serious consequences if you do contract the flu.

If you have a fever or cough illness, regardless of where you have travelled, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. See a health care provider if your symptoms become worse but call ahead of time to let them know you have fever or cough illness.

You can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, 24 hours a day/seven days a week to speak to a nurse if you have more questions or if feeling ill.