H1N1 influenza and you

The Influenza A H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu, has dominated the headlines over the summer months, particularly where Aboriginal communities are concerned.

As a result of the flu pandemic, multiple activities in Eeyou Istchee were postponed this summer as individuals were looking to protect themselves by not congregating in large groups as it might have led to the disease spreading. These events included the Annual General Assembly, which was postponed to late August, and a Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay conference, which was moved to later this fall.

The H1N1 virus was identified last April and quickly upgraded to pandemic status. The phenomenon of a pandemic occurs when a new type of influenza appears where people have no pre-existing immunity. Though the virus spreads easily from person to person, this does not mean the infection is more severe than other influenza viruses.

The virus is defined as an acute respiratory infection with symptoms such as a fever and cough. The virus is spread by droplets resulting from coughing and sneezing as well as contact with people with the virus and objects they have touched.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, as of August 19 the global number for identified cases of the H1N1 virus stood at 234,587 cases, including 2349 deaths.

According to the CBHSSJB, in Eeyou Istchee there have been 61 lab confirmed cases, 34 hospitalizations as a result of the virus, three cases of individuals sent to the ICU and the death of 82-year-old woman.

There has been particular concern over the virus and its impact on First Nations communities as the virus tends to hit Aboriginal communities harder than the rest of the population. This is due to the fact that this flu affects the very old and the very young the hardest and Aboriginal communities have a much younger population than the rest of the country. Overcrowding in homes on Native reserves and, in some cases, a lack of access to clean drinking water have also compounded the virus’ affect.

According to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec, the Cree communities are among the hardest hit by H1N1 along with Nunavik, northern Quebec, Laval and Montreal. There have been 2678 cases of the virus confirmed in the province.

Though the virus was declared a pandemic in April, according to Jason Coonishish, the H1N1 coordinator for the CBHSSJB, cases of virus’ first wave really peaked in July though the virus has been on the decline since then. A second wave is anticipated in late fall.

When the virus was first given pandemic status however, the Health Board acted to protect Eeyou Istchee’s population. Hand sanitizers were installed at various points throughout the communities, particularly in school classrooms to protect the youth.

An information campaign also began last spring to educate people on how to cough while protecting those within communicable distance and other prevention measures.

Still the CBHSSJB has continued to work on this dossier rigorously.

“For now the Cree Health Board has provided the Cree School Board with a binder to prepare for the influenza period on prevention measures in each school. So, we met with each principal and CEA two or three weeks ago and provided them with a binder that has all of the ministry recommendations in it ,” said Coonishish.

According to Coonishish, because the Health Board saw a significant decline in reported cases in the communities, the AGA was finally given the go-ahead to put on its three-day event in Mistissini. At the same time, Coonishish and other professionals made their own presentation at the event to get the communities prepared.

To protect the Crees, the Health Board has made sure that the regular seasonal flu vaccinations will be available early and twice the normal amount have been ordered due to what most likely be an increased demand. The H1N1 vaccination however might only be available as of December though the Health Board already has plans to start a second campaign as soon as it is available.

Though Coonishish said he was aware that many parents had concerns about their children returning to school during a pandemic, he felt confident about all of the actions the Health Board had taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

Though it is hard to predict whether the second wave of H1N1 will be as intense as the first, Coonisish maintained that the Quebec Cree communities were still much better off than many others on reserves across the country.

“Unlike other Aboriginal communities, we Crees have our own health board as opposed to the ones run by Indian Affairs. Other communities got their supplies, such as hand sanitizers and information packages, much later than our communities. We got ours at the same time as the rest of the province,” said Coonishish.