News Releases

·         Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is reporting 42 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, bringing the Manitoba total to 119 reported laboratory-confirmed cases. 

·         All Manitobans are at risk for exposure to the H1N1 virus. The influenza outbreak is provincewide and it is likely that H1N1 is present in every community in Manitoba. Although there has been an increase in the number of people with severe respiratory illness, this has presented a small proportion of the cases in Manitoba. The majority of people in Manitoba who have become ill have not required hospitalization.

·         In Manitoba, there continues to be no public health reason to close schools, community centres or other public gathering places or to avoid travel to any community. There is also no public health reason to exclude people from any public setting based on their ethnic background or home community. The same basic precautions are still the best defense against H1N1 influenza, no matter where you are or who you are with.

·         Manitoba is also working to provide more doctors and nurses in First Nations communities experiencing influenza outbreaks. This is in addition to the physician coverage already provided in northern Manitoba in the last few weeks.     

·         If you have symptoms of flu-like illness, such as fever, cough, aches and tiredness, you are most contagious for three to four days, but it is possible to spread the disease for up to a week once your symptoms start to appear.  You should:

-          Stay home from school or work while you are ill and limit unnecessary contact with others.

-          Contact your health-care provider or visit your nearest health-care centre if you are concerned that you may need advice or care, especially if your symptoms are severe or worsening (i.e. shortness of breath, dehydration, worsening fever, cough or weakness).

-          You can also call Health Links–Info Santé at 788‑8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) if you need personal advice on self-care or when to seek further care. 

·         Manitobans should continue to take the following precautions:

-          Cover a cough or sneeze by coughing or sneezing into your elbow or sleeve or using a tissue to cover your nose and mouth.

-          Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.  Hand sanitizers are also effective.

-          Limit touching of your eyes, nose or mouth.