Boyd Rowe, chief executive officer, and Dr. Muna Ar-Rushdi, medical officer of health, rolled out Labrador-Grenfell Health’s tentative mass immunization schedule last Thursday morning during a news conference held at Administration Building in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Lorie O’Halloran photo

With 36 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Labrador-Grenfell Health's district, its medical officer of health is urging all residents to get the H1N1 vaccine.

Dr. Muna Ar-Rushdi said the 36-cases are mostly concentrated in the Northern Peninsula area of the province and a trace in western Labrador.

However, she cautions that this is not reflective of the actual numbers.

She said there are a number of diagnosed patients who have had positive nasal swabs, which make up the numbers reported.

Dr. Ar-Rushdi said the majority of the cases are mild, and most have stayed at home to treat their symptoms.

"We suspect there are many more cases in our communities as this virus spreads very quickly."

She said seasonal influenza kills up to approximately 4,000 Canadians per year, and as of September the H1N1 deaths throughout Canada have been 76.

Dr. Ar-Rushdi said the H1N1 vaccine was developed to prevent further cases of H1N1 so there won't be larger numbers of deaths.

She said there have been clinical trials with this vaccine to look at adverse affects; thus far all trials show that this vaccine is safe.

If you have flu or flu like symptoms, Dr. Ar-Rushdi recommends you stay home and rest until you are feeling better, usually approximately seven days.

"If during that time you are developing worse symptoms, such as shortness of breath or fever, contact your health centre or family doctor."

Boyd Rowe, chief executive officer of Labrador-Grenfell Health, said as part of its pandemic prevention measures there has been a suspension of public health programs at Labrador-Grenfell Health, until the completion of the mass immunization clinics.

These programs include: prenatal education, healthy babies club, breastfeeding support groups, health check pre-school clinics, school health programs including school immunization, international travel clinics, routine adult immunization programs, routine Tuberculosis testing, lifestyle and blood pressure clinics.

"These programs will resume as quickly as possible. Continuing care and emergency public health services will continue as required."

Mr. Rowe said effective immediately limited visitation is in place at the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital and the John M. Gray Centre in St. Anthony.

He said the following guidelines are now in effect: No children under the age of 14 will be permitted to visit, only one visitor per patient or resident at a time will be permitted and visitors must be a member of the patients or residents immediate family.

"We are asking the public to please refrain from visiting our facilities if you are experiencing influenza like illness."

Jessie Cox, the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Respiratory Therapists, said they have been working on a pandemic preparedness within each jurisdiction to ensure there are enough ventilators and proper protocols in place to deal with any escalation in the current H1N1 pandemic situation.

Mr. Rowe said there has been a lot of work done in preparation over the past number of months to acquire needed supplies for adults and children, in case a crisis situation should occur.

"There was a significant acquisition of equipment such as ventilators, to provide enhanced services within our facilities."

He said there hasn't been an increase in the number of human resources, such as respiratory therapists, but public health nurses will be reallocated as necessary, which will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.

Ms. Cox said respiratory therapists are knowledgeable professionals who can educate the public and other heath care providers on appropriate measures to be taken during an influenza pandemic.

"Respiratory therapists are key front line health care providers in any respiratory care crisis."

Labrador-Grenfell Health has respiratory therapists on staff at the Labrador Health Centre and the Charles s. Curtis Memorial Hospital.

"In cases where it might be necessary for those individuals (respiratory therapists) to travel throughout our region, that will be possible."

Labrador-Grenfell Health released it tentative H1N1 mass immunization schedule last Thursday.

Dr. Ar-Rushdi said the schedule might change depending on weather and availability of the vaccine.

"Labrador-Grenfell Health will have enough vaccines for the entire area, but because it is being sent in shipments, clinics may have to be rescheduled."

Dr. Ar-Rushdi said if you were confirmed with H1N1 do not get the vaccine because you would have already built up immunity to the virus.

"Those people who have had influenza like illness, but weren't confirmed with H1N1, should get the vaccine."

Dr. Ar-Rushdi said now that they are aware H1N1 is here, their focus is to move away from testing and swabbing and concentrate more on containing the spread of the virus.

editor@thelabradorian.ca