Winnipeg paramedics contracted swine flu from patients

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Winnipeg paramedics might have contracted swine flu from patients

Last Updated: Wednesday, June 3, 2009 | 5:46 PM CT CBC News

Winnipeg paramedics who transported northern Manitoba patients suspected of

having swine flu might have contracted the H1N1 influenza A virus that causes

the illness.

The Manitoba Government Employees Union (MGEU) said two emergency medical

technicians who picked up the patients at the airport in Winnipeg weren't given

any advance warning about the possibly infectious disease and, consequently,

weren't wearing the necessary protective gear.

'Those paramedics went on to treat and care for several more people

throughout the city of Winnipeg.'—Broughton, Manitoba Government Employees

Union

As a result, many more people may have been exposed, said MGEU Local 911

president Broughton.

" It could lead to a great deal of paramedics becoming ill with this influenza

that could lead to then a difficulty for the city to provide emergency medical

services, " he said. " There's just no staff available to staff the trucks and

provide care. Those paramedics went on to treat and care for several more people

throughout the city of Winnipeg. "

Ken Simm, deputy chief of operations for Winnipeg's Fire Paramedic Service, told

CBC News there was a breakdown in communication. Normally, paramedics are warned

when patients have respiratory symptoms so they can wear protective gear.

" If there's a belief that they may have been exposed, and there is some

substance to their concerns, they will go through a nasal swab process to

determine if, in fact, they have been exposed to the influenza, " said Simm.

Broughton said the paramedics are now on days off and are awaiting word on what

they may have been exposed to.

Two adult women and 10 children from St. Theresa Point First Nation, a remote

northern Manitoba community, were flown by air ambulance to Winnipeg in the past

week for hospital care because of an outbreak of a flu-like illness.

Two women in critical condition, 10 children in hospital

The adults and five children were sent to the city a few days ago, and on

Monday, another five who fell ill with severe flu symptoms were also transported

to Winnipeg, said McDougall, chief of St. Theresa Point First Nation.

The adult women are in critical condition, and one of them, who was pregnant,

lost her baby, said McDougall.

Jack Wood, special advisor to chief and council in St. Theresa Point, said more

than 200 people from the reserve have reported being ill and 20 in total have

required hospitalization.

'The physicians will look for any viruses that are known to cause those

particular symptoms. So certainly, in the current situation, H1N1 is added to

the list of what they look for.'— Elise Weiss, acting chief provincial public

health officer

Provincial health authorities have not yet confirmed whether any of the patients

have the H1N1 virus that has been spreading throughout North America and abroad

since first appearing in Mexico in April.

Acting chief provincial public health officer Doctor Elise Weiss told CBC News

that it is quite common to see outbreaks of flu-like viruses in Manitoba and

testing for H1N1 is being done on the patients from St. Theresa Point.

" The physicians will look for any viruses that are known to cause those

particular symptoms. So certainly, in the current situation, H1N1 is added to

the list of what they look for, " she said.

Concern about illness spreading to other First Nations

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Ron told CBC News there is great

concern about the virus spreading.

" We have our people that are living in overcrowded homes. They don't have

running water [and] they don't have many of the conveniences that we take

forgranted [in urban centres], " he said. " They lack in a lot of areas — in

health care facilities, in professionals, and all that kind of care that is

required. They just don't have that. "

said he is working with McDougall and health officials in St. Theresa

Point to curb the spread of the illness in the community and to neighbouring

First Nations like Red Sucker Lake.

Weiss said the province is also providing whatever support is needed to the

First Nations Health Branch. Four additional doctors and several more nurses are

being sent to St. Theresa Point First Nation.

Until the virus is known and dealt with, school will remain closed in St.

Theresa Point, said McDougall.

The remote community of 3,200 people is located about 500 kilometres from

Winnipeg and only accessible by airplane or winter ice roads.

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