Headwaters Health Care Centre Reports H1N1 Fatality
 

Orangeville, ON, June 18, 2009 – Headwaters Health Care Centre officials confirmed that a 78-year-old man, visiting from the United States, who entered Headwaters Health Care Centre with flu like symptoms and later tested positive for the H1N1 virus, has died. The H1N1 flu is believed to have played a contributing role in his death. The man is Dufferin County’s first H1N1 fatality.

“When this patient was originally admitted to our hospital, he had influenza-like illness respiratory symptoms complicating an existing medical condition,” said Dr. Jeff McKinnon, Chief of Medical Staff at Headwaters.

Individuals over 65 years of age or under the age of 2, persons who are immunocompromised, have underlying heart and lung disease, or are pregnant are at a higher risk for complications from influenza.

 “We want to express our condolences to his family and friends,” says Dr. McKinnon.

Headwaters encourages visitors and patients to perform hand hygiene, cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, to get the flu shot and stay home if feeling ill.

As of June 17, the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health has reported 13 confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza A Virus Infection among area residents. Officials have stated that laboratory-confirmed cases represent only a fraction of the likely number of cases in the county because many persons with mild symptoms do not seek care from a doctor or hospital but recover at home.  Provincially, as of June 17, there have been 2,265 confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza A Virus Infection. 

If you want to speak to a health care professional, Telehealth Ontario is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week at 1-866-797-0000.  To speak with a WDG Public Health Nurse call 1-800-265-7293 ext 4752.

For more information visit Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health’s website for H1N1 flu virus updates at  http://www.wdghu.org/page.cfm?id=1777.

The public is invited to provide comments and suggestions about hospital services. Please contact Cholly Boland, President and CEO, Headwaters Health Care Centre at 519-941-2702 ext. 2200.

About Headwaters Health Care Centre
Headwaters Health Care Centre serves more than 110,000 residents in Caledon, Orangeville, Shelburne and Dufferin County. The hospital operates two sites – Headwaters Orangeville, a 108 bed acute care hospital and Headwaters Shelburne, a 33 bed chronic care hospital. Visit www.headwatershealth.ca.

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