News Release

May 6, 2009
For Immediate Release

Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg First in World To Decode Genetic Makeup of H1N1 Flu Virus

• Background on Government Actions

 

(OTTAWA) – Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones today announced that Canadian scientists have completed work on decoding the genetic makeup of the H1N1 flu virus.

"The world's knowledge of the H1N1 flu virus has taken a significant step forward thanks to the excellent work done at Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory, " said Minister Aglukkaq.

“This is an important achievement for our scientists as it marks the first successful sequencing of virus samples from different countries,” said Dr. David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada. “Our researchers should be commended for completing this important work in less than a week. This is one of the Lab's finest hours.”

Genetic sequencing is the process of determining the order of the molecules that make up the DNA in each gene of an organism. This complete genetic blueprint provides important information for researchers studying the virus.

The laboratory completed sequencing of H1N1 virus samples taken from Mexico, Nova Scotia and Ontario.

"This takes us a big step forward in understanding how this virus works,” said Dr. Frank Plummer, Scientific Director General of the National Microbiology Laboratory. “Our preliminary analysis does not indicate a significant difference between the virus in Mexico and the virus in Canada.”

Canada's work on the virus has been submitted to GenBank -- an international, searchable database -- to allow more researchers to have access to the results and benefit from the information.

 

Media Inquiries:
Public Health Agency of Canada
Media Relations
(613) 941-8189

Background of Government Actions

The Government of Canada is taking action on a number of fronts, including:

Public Information:

• Print ads that provide Canadians with information and advice will appear in major daily newspapers across Canada on Saturday May 2 and Monday May 4.  In addition, print ads will appear in newspapers in First Nations and Inuit communities starting on May 5;

• The Public Health Agency of Canada has made its information more easily accessible via Internet searches on Google, and is also disseminating its recommendations through a variety of social media tools, including Facebook, Twitter, and others;

• A travel health notice has been issued advising Canadians on the precautions they should take when travelling outside of North America;

• A travel health warning has been issued advising Canadians to postpone non-essential travel to Mexico;
• Frequently asked questions have been posted to the Public Health Agency of Canada website www.phac.gc.ca;
• A 1-800 information line, namely 1-800-454-8302, is available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) where Canadians can get more information;
• An information bulletin with health advice is being distributed to travellers going to and coming from Mexico to remind them of simple health precautions;
• Information including advice for travelers is being run on television screens in airport terminals;
• Public health guidance documents are being provided to health care professionals.

Public Health Action:

• Increasing our disease surveillance and constantly assessing the information that comes to us from all sources, using it to inform our future actions;

• Ensuring that the National Antiviral Stockpile can be mobilized quickly if it is needed;

• Researching vaccine development and growing the “seed stock” to be used to grow a H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) vaccine;

• Initiating discussions with Glaxo-Smith Kline to begin the process of developing and producing the vaccine in accordance with a standing contract; and

• Working with provinces, territories and the health sector to develop protocols and guidelines to mitigate any potential impacts on the healthcare system and the rest of the community if the outbreak escalates.

International Work:

• Quarantine Officers are now stationed at every Canadian airport receiving direct flights from Mexico to assess any ill passengers to provide advice and direction when treatment is needed;

• The Public Health Agency of Canada is assisting Mexico by testing its laboratory specimens for H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu);

• Canadian epidemiologists have been dispatched to Mexico to help Mexican officials investigate the outbreak; and

• Regular information updates are being provided by the Canadian embassy in Mexico to resident

Monitoring and Coordination:

• The Government's Emergency Operations Centre has been elevated to full activation (Level 4), operating 24 hours a day and seven days a week;

• Daily coordination and information sharing conference calls are being held with provincial and territorial public health authorities and international partners; and,

• Officials remain vigilant in screening and reporting of unusual influenza-like illnesses, particularly in travellers returning from Mexico.

Laboratory Testing:

• Provincial and territorial laboratories have been asked to send any unidentifiable influenza viruses and samples from patients with severe respiratory illnesses to Canada's National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, which is now operating 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

The Public Health Agency advises Canadians to:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer.
• Cough and sneeze in your arm or sleeve.
• Keep doing what you normally do, but stay home if sick.
• Check the www.fightflu.ca for more information.
• Check www.voyage.gc.ca for travel notices and advisories.
• Talk to a health professional if you experience flu-like symptoms.