Swine flu hits Manitoba reserve hard

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Stephanie

By Stephanie Dearing

Jun 5, 2009 in Health

2 comments

By Stephanie Dearing.

3 more articles on this subject:

Jun 25, 2009 - Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs declare a State of Emergency Special

Jun 26, 2009 - Op-Ed: Canada's shame found in poor treatment of First Nations people - 12 comments

Jun 24, 2009 - Medical supply delays for flu-hit reserves causes anger - 1 comment

Doctors were flown into a northern Manitoba First Nations Reserve after swine flu hit the already impoverished community. One miscarriage is believed to be a result of the virus.

A sudden surge in swine flu cases on a northern Manitoba First Nations reserve, St. Teresa Point First Nation, is being blamed on overcrowding due to inadequate housing facilities. 20 residents from the isolated reserve were flown to a Winnipeg hospital for treatment, including 10 children.

Chief David MacDougall, speaking from the reserve, said the outbreak

"is a wake-up call for governments to address poor living conditions and improve health care for aboriginals."

He added that it is common for there to be 12 people living together in a 2 bedroom house on the reserve.

The World Health Organization released Update #44, updating information about the spread and effects of swine flu around the world today. According to the report, Canada has a confirmed 1,795 cases of swine flu and three deaths attributed to the virus. Worldwide the WHO reports a total of 21,940 cases of swine flu with a resulting 125 deaths.

The World Health Organization held a teleconference earlier today, with an expert panel discussing the swine flu outbreak. It was not expected that the WHO would elevate the viral outbreak to the status of a pandemic.

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