Flu season hits western Canada, Canadians wonder about plan

The flu season has arrived in Canada, and it is hitting the west coast fast and furious. The H1N1 virus has been identified as the source of the flu that has hit several First Nation communities on Vancouver Island.

The new round of H1N1 influenza has started off with a bang, with Health Canada having sent body bags to a few remote Manitoba First Nations communities and the announcement that there will be no immunization available for the H1N1 virus until late October or even November. Now British Columbia health officials are trying to downplay the flu outbreak that has hit almost exclusively First Nations communities, saying that there is no outbreak. A First Nations woman from one of those communities has died five days after being hospitalized with the virus. According to the Toronto Star,

"Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, said clusters of H1N1 such as the one on western Vancouver Island occurred throughout the summer."

With the outbreak of 100 reported cases in a First Nations community north of Tofino, and the hospitalization of several people, the flu season is off to a roaring start. Many First Nation communities are not feeling confident in Canada's readiness for this flu season. In fact, many feel as if they have been abandoned by the government. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq has apologized to First Nations people in Canada for the shipment of body bags sent to some communities last week. She issued a statement that said "

Health Canada apologizes for the error that was made in the number of body bags that were ordered for the Wasagamack First Nations. We regret the alarm that this incident has caused."

Canada's flu vaccine is anticipated to be ready for mid-November, and a priority list has been drafted. First Nations people will be among the first to receive the vaccine.