H1N1 flu update

News Release
MoH

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has issued the latest edition of the Ontario Influenza Bulletin. Highlights on the H1N1 flu virus in the bulletin for the surveillance period of August 9 to August 15, 2009 include:
For the surveillance period of August 9 to August 15, 2009:
Overall, influenza activity in Ontario was similar compared the previous week.
However, the rate of influenza-like illness (ILI) in patients seen by sentinel physicians is above what is expected for this time of year, particularly for those less than 19 years of age.
Less patients reporting influenza-like symptoms consulted sentinel physicians this week than the previous week.
The majority of health units continue to report sporadic activity. Only one health unit reported localized activity.
There are 4,037 confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus reported through the integrated Public Health System (iPHIS) as of August 15, 2009.
As of August 19:
22 deaths have been reported among confirmed H1N1 cases.
37 people who have the H1N1 flu virus were in hospital as of 8:30 a.m. that day, a number of whom have underlying medical conditions. 315 other people have been hospitalized and have since been discharged.
A higher number of hospitalized cases were reported this week compared to last week. One new death among cases was reported this week.
Please note: The Influenza Bulletin provides information based on the surveillance period from August 9 to August 15, 2009. Case counts from the previous week are submitted to the ministry by public health units every Tuesday. Data on hospitalizations and deaths is submitted daily and therefore is accurate as of August 19.
The Ontario Influenza Bulletin is available on the ministry website at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/updates/archives/hu_09/sf_weekly_update.html