Alberta Health Services WEB SITE has all the current and up to date health information you need. Click on the Health Link logo.

   Trusted answers from The Hospital for Sick Children                

check out their web site HERE  - get answers for your kid's sake.

  Click on the icon for a PDF diagram - How the H1N1 virus (or any virus) is spread    

Employer information on planning HR policies and procedures following minimum standards and O H & S codes in Alberta

Additional employer information for planning - H1N1 - 8 steps to mitigate the threat

FluWatch Site posted by the Public Health Agency of Canada provides information for medical personel and anyone interested in watching the stats. Click here for site.

UPDATE JUNE 2010 - One Year Later                                                                                 

"On June 11th, 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared (click here to see WHO report) the A/H1N1 virus outbreak a full blown Level 6 pandemic." This declaration was in response to the geographic spread, rather than the severity of the disease. The following is information on current activity, which is low level at this time.  

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 102

Weekly virological surveillance update

28 May 2010 -- Overall influenza activity has remained at low levels in most parts of the world. In most countries where human infection of influenza virus was reported, the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) continues to be the predominating influenza A viruses subtyped (87.3% in North America and 84.5% globally).

Seasonal A(H1N1) viruses were detected sporadically in the Russian Federation. Sporadic influenza A(H3N2) activity was reported from some countries including Australia and China. Influenza B was reported as the predominating influenza virus accounting for 66.1% of all influenza detections in Hong Kong SAR of China, 84.4 % in Republic of Korea and 85.1% in Russian Federation. Increased sporadic influenza B activity has also been observed in some other countries.

Based on FluNet reporting for the week from 9 to 15 May 2010, the total number of specimens reportedly positive for influenza viruses by National Influenza Centres (NICs) from 23 countries was 323. Of these, 107 (33%) were typed as influenza A and 216 (67%) as influenza B.

From the start of the pandemic in 19 April 2009 to 15 May 2010, based on FluNet reporting by 88 countries, the total number of specimens reported positive for influenza by NIC laboratories was 635,295*. Of these, 482,809 (76.0%) were pandemic A(H1N1), 8,869 (1.4%) were seasonal A(H1N1), 32,470 (5.1%) were A(H3N2), 80,187 (12.6%) were A (not subtyped) and 30,858 (4.9%) were influenza B.

For further information from the World Health Organization (WHO) click here - their web site provides worldwide activity on all health concerns at a global level.

There is always a need to practice due diligence and continue to take precautions in preventing the spread of germs - i.e. continue to promote personal and social protocols that emphasize hygienic habits that prevent the spread of diseases and germs. An organization must have a continuity plan to address situations that may arise during any emergency situation - i.e. support and modified benefit plans or benefits in case employees become sick or have to miss work to attend to family; work-at-home options; communications back-up plans; modified business plans to include only critical or vital services; resource allocation plans to assist other associated organizations.

It's not just up to one person or organization - a system of healthy, prepared communities can continue to operate with planning and cooperation during any emergency situation.

Other Health Information Links and Web Sites:

Government of Alberta - Health & Wellness click here

Health Canada - click here