H1N1 A Influenza Cases by Country (as of 8 AM PST May 1st)
| Country | Cases | Deaths | ||
| Lab Confirmed* | Increase from Yesterday | Lab Confirmed* | Increase from Yesterday | |
| Mexico | 156 | 130 | 9 | 2 |
| US | 141 | 32 | 1 | 0 |
| Canada | 34 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| UK | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Spain | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Germany | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Israel | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Austria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Switzerland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
*The number of confirmed cases is only from the WHO and the CDC, the number of cases includes deaths. .
In addition, several other countries around the world have suspected cases of swine flu, while the WHO announced that they will no longer report suspected cases.
Local/National News
- Currently in Canada, there are a total of 34 confirmed swine influenza cases: 11 cases in British Columbia, six cases in Alberta, seven cases in Ontario and four cases in Nova Scotia.
- All the cases reported so far have been relatively mild
- The BCCDC has posted an Interim Guidance: Infection prevention and control measures for Health Care Workers in Acute Care Facilities
International News
Latest from the U.S. Centre for Disease Control
- The CDC has posted several new guidance documents for health professionals:
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting the public to be wary of Internet sites selling products that claim to prevent, treat or cure 2009 H1N1 flu virus
Latest from the World Health Organization
- WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
Antiviral News/Recommendations
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines with activity against influenza viruses, including swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs have been shown to be effective in treating and preventing infection from flu viruses.
- Mild cases do not require antiviral treatment
- Moderately ill people who are at high risk of influenza-related complications (such as those with chronic health conditions) may benefit from antiviral therapy
- Severely ill patients will need to be hospitalized
- The US CDC recommends to consider the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.
- The CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak.
- Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced yesterday that the US Federal government will purchase an additional 13 million treatment courses
- The WHO has begun distributing part of its stockpile of Tamiflu to Mexico
A PPE Update:
There has been a lot of discussion in the media and elsewhere regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE); in particular facemasks and respirators.
What are face masks?Facemasks are loose-fitting, disposable masks that cover the nose and mouth. These include products labelled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, and laser masks.
Facemasks help stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing them. They also keep sp
lashes or sprays from reaching the mouth and nose of the person wearing the facemask. They are not designed to protect you against breathing in very small particles. Facemasks should be used once and then thrown away in the trash. 
A respirator is designed to protect you from breathing in very small particles, which might contain viruses. These types of respirators fit tightly to the face so that most air is inhaled through the filter material. To work the best way, N95 respirators must be specially fitted for each person who wears one (this is called "fit-testing" and is usually done in a workplace where respirators are used).
While a respirator will offer greater protection for the wearer than a facemask, neither will give complete protection from the flu.
Do you need a mask?You should consider wearing a facemask if:
- You are sick with the flu and think you might have close contact with other people.
- You live with someone who has the flu (you therefore might be in the early stages of infection) and need to be in a crowded place. Limit the amount of time you spend in these crowded places and wear a facemask while you are there.
- You are well but need to be in a crowded place where there are confirmed cases of Swine/H1N1 flu (such as a hospital with known cases). Limit the amount of time you spend in these locations and wear a facemask while you are there.
You should consider wearing a respirator if
- You are well and you expect to be in close contact with people who are known or thought to be sick with pandemic flu. Limit the amount of time you are in close contact with these people and wear a respirator during this time. These recommendations apply if you must take care of a sick person at home.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/features/masksrespirators/
Additional information continues to be available at: www.global-consulting.ca/content
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