More than 1,000 cases of H1N1 confirmed in Ontario

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE

************************** 184 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus in Ontario

TORONTO - (June 5) - Dr. David Williams, Ontario's acting chief medical officer of health, says there are 184 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus since Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases in Ontario to 1,078.

Almost all of the cases reported to date are considered mild.

The vast majority of these cases have recovered and public health officials estimate that about 150 people are currently sick.

Two people, who had the H1N1 virus and chronic medical conditions, have died.

Six people who have the H1N1 flu virus were in hospital as of June 4, a number of whom have underlying medical conditions.

The Ontario cases involve 543 males and 532 females (the gender of three cases is unknown) with an age range of (less than)1 to 97.

The average age of the cases is 22.

New confirmed cases in Ontario

Toronto - 74 Peel Region - 34 York Region - 33 Halton - 16 City of Ottawa - 14 Durham Region - 6 Simcoe Muskoka District - 2 Wellington Dufferin Guelph - 1 Hastings and Prince Edward Counties - 1 Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington - 1 Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge - 1 Timiskaming - 1

Quotes

"The large increase in cases is due to enhanced surveillance and increased laboratory testing capacity," said Dr. David Williams, Ontario's acting chief medical officer of health.

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 at1-866-797-0000.

For general information on the H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu), call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-800-476-9708 or visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care website.

Learn more

For more information about human swine flu, click here. To learn more about hand washing, go here. Read about public health initiatives in the province.

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