Current Health Topics

• H1N1 Site for Nurses
  This website provides BC Nurses (Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Psychiatric Nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses) with information and resources to support nursing practice related to H1N1 influenza virus.
• H1N1 Site for the Physicians of B.C.
  At the request of B.C.’s physicians, this web resource has been established to provide a centralised and ongoing source of current information about the emerging issues surrounding the novel H1N1 flu virus.
• H1N1 Site for Pharmacists
  This website provides clinical and logistical information about dispensing antiviral medications, information about in-pharmacy infection control and information on antiviral treatment for pharmacy patients.
• H1N1 Flu Virus
  The H1N1 influenza virus (human swine influenza or human swine flu) is a respiratory disease of humans caused by type A influenza virus. The majority of the H1N1 flu virus cases in British Columbia have been relatively mild and were detected by the Province’s robust and responsive public health surveillance system. The Province is prepared for a potential resurgence of the virus moving into the fall and winter flu season.
• New Web Portal helps Canadians to Fight Flu
  Canada's provinces and territories and the Public Health Agency of Canada have together provided a website to provide Canadians with one-stop access to information about influenza (the flu) and ways to limit its spread. Visitors to the web portal can find fact sheets on influenza, tips for avoiding infection in more than 10 languages, and links to influenza information campaigns within their home province or territory.
• Listeria update from Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Perry Kendall
  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Maple Leaf Foods have expanded the previous public warning issued on August 19, 2008 and are now warning the public not to serve or consume any products produced at Maple Leaf’s Establishment 97B plant because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
• Influenza Vaccination
  The flu is a serious illness that takes its toll on people in schools, hospitals and other workplaces every year. Getting the flu shot is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others from the flu.
• Pandemic Influenza
  An influenza pandemic may occur when an influenza virus radically changes and can easily infect humans, and against which people have little or no immunity. Preparing in advance and knowing the proper health protection measures can help safeguard your and your family's health if this type of event occurs in B.C.
• Avian Influenza
  Avian influenza is a contagious viral infection that can affect all species of birds (chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, pet birds and wild birds).
• West Nile Virus
  West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus. In nature it is normally passed between mosquitoes and birds.
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
  The Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control are currently monitoring the recent cases of SARS reported in China by the World Health Organization.
• Drinking Water
  Safe drinking water is essential for human health and survival. It is used for human consumption, food preparation, or other normal household purposes.
• For information on mad cow disease see Health Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency.