Updated message on Swine Flu
There have been significant developments in the outbreak of
swine flu that originated last week in Mexico and which has spread
to a number of countries, including Canada.
The number of reported cases in Canada has climbed to 19 – six in
British Columbia, two in Alberta, seven in Ontario and four in Nova
Scotia, all of them mild and with none reported in Quebec and the
World Health Organization on Wednesday afternoon raised its Alert
level to 5, the second-highest level on the scale.
What this means is that the organization believes a global outbreak
of the disease could be imminent. There is as yet no pandemic, and
no cause for panic. The new Alert level means there has been
human-to-human spread in at least two countries and it also means
efforts to produce a vaccine will be intensified. It is considered
a signal to governments to ensure their plans for a possible
pandemic are in place.
Human cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Mexico, the United
States, Canada, Britain, Israel, New Zealand and Spain.
As of Monday, April 27, Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Canada recommended that people postpone elective or non-essential
travel to Mexico until further notice. Because Mexico is, as a
result, now considered a Level 3 country by the Canadian
government, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ cannot allow student travel to Mexico for
University-related activities.
More information on the government’s travel advisory can be found
at or at the
.
ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ remains in very close contact with public health officials
to make sure we have all the current information available so we
can take whatever steps are needed to minimize any effects.
In the meantime, MORE INFORMATION about swine flu, including its
symptoms and how to help avoid it, can be found on ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ’s
health site.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT to remember the basic precautions to take with
any flu-like illness: wash your hands frequently and thoroughly,
try to cough or sneeze into your forearm instead of your hands, and
visit a health care professional if you begin to exhibit symptoms
of the illness.
If you feel you are ill and should stay home, you should follow
normal procedures required for an absence from work or from missing
a scheduled exam or class. More information on exam absences is
available on the Student Records website.