H1N1 Summary, Nov. 1 to Nov. 7

Nova Scotia continues to experience an increase of H1N1 activity across the province.

Since the beginning of the 2009-10 influenza season, which runs from September 2009 to September 2010, the province has had:

• 502 lab-confirmed cases
• 73 hospitalizations for H1N1
• One H1N1-related death.

For the week of Nov. 1 to Nov. 7, there have been 37 reported hospitalizations.

"There continues to be H1N1 activity in all district health authorities with outbreaks of influenza-like illness and increased absenteeism in schools," said Dr. Strang, Nova Scotia's chief public health officer. "H1N1 is still the predominant respiratory virus during the current surveillance week."

Other highlights include:

• The percentage of emergency room visits with influenza-like illness has increased to 26 per cent, which is up 15 per cent since the week of Oct. 25 to Oct. 31.
• Influenza-like illness has increased to 19.1 per cent, from 10.3 per cent, as reported by physicians around the province.

The province publishes a report on respiratory illnesses, including H1N1, every Wednesday. It can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/publications/NSRespiratoryWatch.pdf .