Hamilton Swine Flu Update
HAMILTON, ON - April 28, 2009 – The City of Hamilton’s Public Health Services is monitoring the global Swine Flu situation. Currently in Hamilton there are three persons under investigation and no confirmed cases of Swine Influenza.
“We’re taking this emerging public health issue very seriously,” said Dr. Chris Mackie, Hamilton’s Associate Medical Officer of Health. “Although the swine flu has not caused serious illness outside of Mexico, we are working closely with our partners in the community and helping to get them prepared.”
As Public Health Services is preparing, so should Hamilton’s citizens and businesses. Along with simple measures to prevent to spread of the flu such as frequent hand washing, covering your cough and staying home when you’re sick, every family should have an emergency plan of their own. For example:
- if a school or daycare needs to close what would you do with your children?
- if your employer asked you to work at home for a week how would you handle that?
Although it is not yet certain that the swine flu will affect many people in Hamilton, businesses should consider how to continue their operations if some of their staff become ill or need to tend to ill family members.
Resources to help you plan may be found on the Public Health Services website at www.hamilton.ca/pandemic.
- 30 -
Media Contact:
Dr. Chris Mackie
Associate Medical Officer of Health
Public Health Services
905-546-2424 ext. 2169 or after hours 546-CITY (2489)