North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit News Release ************************ The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, in cooperation with its 31 municipal partners, has identified flu center locations throughout the district for use when,
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit News Release
************************
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, in cooperation with its 31 municipal partners, has identified flu center locations throughout the district for use when, and if, there is a local need.
“It is the health unit’s responsibility to be sure we prepare for the worst. This is part of our pandemic plan.” Says Dr. Jim Chirico, Acting Medical Officer of Health for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. “We have identified 5 locations in our health unit district to house Flu Assessment Centers. These centers are located in West Parry Sound, Mattawa, Sundridge, West Nipissing and North Bay. All centers could be operational within 6 to 8 hours when local need exists.”
The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit wishes to acknowledge the cooperation, efforts and leadership role that the Community Emergency Management Coordinators and their municipal partners are taking. They are to be congratulated for their commitment to the health and well-being of their communities.
The purpose of the Flu Assessment Centers is to quickly assess patients with influenza symptoms, treat them, and transfer them home or to an emergency department for care. This alleviates the patient-load on hospitals and doctors’ offices during a pandemic, which allows them to focus on treating the most ill people in the community.
The Health Unit continues to promote basic infection control practices to the public to further reduce the spread of influenza. People are encouraged to stay informed and to take the following precautions:
1. Wash your hands well and often, with soap and warm, running water or hand sanitizer.
2. Sneeze or cough into your sleeve.
3. Clean and disinfect common surfaces.
4. Keep doing what you normally do, but stay home if you are sick.
Dr. Chirico recommends anyone with mild or moderate flu symptoms, like fever, cough, headache, sore throat, or muscle and joint pain, to contact their health care provider or call Telehealth. For those with more severe flu symptoms, especially shortness of breath, go to a hospital emergency room.
QUICK FACTS
Symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) are similar to seasonal influenza (flu) including headache, chills and cough followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur in adults as well as in children. In more severe cases, or in people with chronic conditions, complications such as pneumonia may develop.
People who have symptoms of Influenza-Like Illness should contact their health care provider or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
• For more information about H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu): o visit www.fightflu.ca o or www.healthunit.biz o Or call the Health Unit at (705) 474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808.
