Information

May, 2009
For Immediate Release

Role of the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory: H1N1 Flu Virus Outbreak Response

• Background on Government Actions

The Public Health Agency of Canada’s  National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) is a Level Four laboratory, with over 400 employees. The NML was established in 1999.The NML is internationally recognized as one of a handful of laboratories in the world with the capacity to work with highly pathogenic viruses.

National Microbiology Laboratory Actions on the H1N1 Flu Virus:

• The Public Health Agency of Canada received a request from Mexico to assist with diagnostic testing clusters of severe respiratory illness on April 18, 2009. The NML received the samples for testing on April 22, 2009.

Since then, the National Microbiology Laboratory has:

• Developed a test that allows researchers to determine whether the strain of influenza being tested is either a common regular strain of seasonal flu or the H1N1 flu virus. The NML has shared this test with the provinces and territories, which are now responsible for testing their own specimens.
• Tested more than 400 specimens from the Mexican Ministry of Health.
• Rolled out a national database using the Canadian Network for Public Health Intelligence (CNPHI) platform to track confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu virus.
• Completed full genome sequencing of H1N1 flu viruses from Mexico and Canada. While there were slight variations between the Canadian and Mexican sequences, preliminary analysis does not indicate a significant difference that would account for any disparities in the severity of illness. Canada is the first country to have completed the full genome sequencing of viruses from Canada and Mexico, marking a significant contribution to the global understanding of this virus. The sequencing is an important step that helps us to better understand the virus and its impact on populations around the world.
• Sent a total of seven officials, including epidemiologists and lab researchers, to Mexico to assist in the ongoing investigation of the H1N1 flu virus outbreak. Some will help with things like lab testing, while others will track down patient histories to find out where, when, and how people were exposed to the virus.

As the lead federal Agency responsible for protecting Canadians from infectious diseases, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has demonstrated leadership on a number of fronts related to the H1N1 flu virus including priority areas such as public health, international work, public information, monitoring and coordinating, and laboratory testing.

 

Media Inquiries:
Public Health Agency of Canada
204-789-5046

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.