Local case of A/H1N1 confirmed, business as usual at Western

 

During a press conference held at the Middlesex-London Health Unit Wednesday, officials say test results from a 40-year-old man from the London-Middlesex area who was recently in Mexico confirm he has human swine influenza.

 

Bryna Warshawsky, Associate Medical Officer of Health for the local health unit, said the man is being monitored at home. Those who may come in contact with him are advised to take precautions and be informed of the symptoms of the disease.

 

"We are taking all precautions," said London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best.

As of May 6, there are 49 cases in Ontario and laboratory tests confirm the influenza virus is the same as the one in Mexico and the United States.

The World Health Organization reports 23 countries have cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection.

According to Dr. Sidney Siu, of Workplace Health at The University of Western Ontario, “I don’t think this changes anything here at the university.

“It is business as usual. We are not any less safe today than yesterday.”

The university has been preparing for a flu pandemic and has systems in place to respond. Key individuals have been meeting regularly since the virus emerged two weeks ago to achieve an appropriate level of preparedness. Officials are also working closely with the Middlesex-London Health Unit to ensure communications remain consistent.

According to Siu, members of the public have a major role to play in their own health beginning with prevention.

Personal hygiene such as regular attention to washing hands is critical to blocking transmission, as is covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. The virus commonly travels in droplets expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing.

Another consideration is washing your hands after an exchange such as a money transaction, since the virus can live for some time on a surface.

The World Health Organization also encourages individuals to maintain a distance of one metre from each other, and to avoid touching your mouth or nose. A healthy lifestyle such as getting adequate sleep, eating good foods and being physically active helps build up personal reserves toward off infection.

For those who have contracted the virus, Student Health Services Clinical Director Shelagh Bantock said efforts are afoot to develop strategies to help those who are feeling ill and at home.