Numbers of aboriginals in critical condition with flu surge in Manitoba

BY LARRY KUSCH, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS   JUNE 8, 2009 5:01 PM

WINNIPEG — Manitoba health officials are reporting a surge in the number of people requiring intensive care for flu-like illnesses.

Dr. Joel Kettner, chief provincial public health officer, said Monday that there were 25 severely ill people on ventilators in Manitoba hospitals with flu symptoms as of Sunday night.

He told a news conference that most, if not all, of these people were likely to be confirmed as having the swine flu virus.

More than half of those in intensive care are of aboriginal descent, Kettner said. There are people severely ill with the flu from three different First Nations.

Kettner also said that five to 10 per cent of Manitoba's population may already have been exposed to the swine flu, or H1N1, virus. He said this shows that only a tiny proportion of the population is contracting or becoming severely ill from the disease.

Health officials have been dealing with a potential outbreak of swine flu at St. Theresa Point, a remote First Nation located 500 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.

As of last week, the community had confirmed three cases of swine flu but hundreds more residents had reported symptoms.

More than 20 residents of the community of 3,200 had been flown to Winnipeg hospital suffering from flu-like symptoms.

Chief David McDougall has pleaded for understanding and help for his community, saying his First Nation is not equipped to deal with a full-blown outbreak.

First Nations leaders have said the scare at St. Theresa Point illustrates widespread concerns about pandemic planning for impoverished reserves where overcrowding in homes is common — heightening the risk a flu outbreak could spread quickly.

The issue became a political football last week, with Ottawa and the Manitoba government sparring over what the province said were its ignored offers to help the federal government with pandemic planning on First Nations, where Ottawa has jurisdiction.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald