Province releases latest weekly H1N1 surveillance report findings

The province released its Respiratory Watch report on Thursday, Nov. 12, highlighting its surveillance findings of H1N1 activity for the week ending Nov. 1-7.

According to the report, Nova Scotia continues to experience an increase of H1N1 activity across the province.

Since the beginning of the 2009-10 influenza season, which runs from September 2009 to September 2010, the province has had: – 502 lab-confirmed cases – 73 hospitalizations for H1N1 – One H1N1-related death.

For the week of Nov. 1 to Nov. 7, there were 37 reported hospitalizations. "There continues to be H1N1 activity in all district health authorities with outbreaks of influenza-like illness and increased absenteeism in schools," said Dr. Strang, Nova Scotia's chief public health officer. "H1N1 is still the predominant respiratory virus during the current surveillance week."

In a media briefing on Thursday, Dr. Strang said the group that has seen the greatest amount of flu-like activity is school-aged children, but the cases seen have been of the less severe scope.

Other highlights of the report included: – The percentage of emergency room visits with influenza-like illness has increased to 26 per cent, which was up from 15 per cent the week of Oct. 25 to Oct. 31. – Influenza-like illness has increased to 19.1 per cent, from 10.3 per cent, as reported by physicians around the province.

There are community immunization clinics happening in communities across the province for the groups that have been identified by the province as high-risk groups eligible for the limited amount of vaccine that exists now.

Dr. Strang was asked on Thursday whether people are being asked for proof that they are in a high-risk group when they attend the clinics. He acknowledged there could be some people who say they are in a high-risk group when, indeed, they are not. But he said he believes Nova Scotians will be truthful and let those at the highest-risk of developing severe complications from H1N1 go to the front of the vaccination line.

Dr. Strang also said he expects to see a more modest amount of vaccine delivered to the province next week and hopes by the last week of November the province will start to see a more robust supply.

The province publishes a report on respiratory illnesses, including H1N1, every Wednesday. It can be found at

www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/publications/NSRespiratoryWatch.pdf