Warning

1999-89
June 30, 1999

Influenza-like illness this summer in Alaska, the Yukon and on West Coast cruise ships

OTTAWA - Health Canada has determined that there has been an increased occurrence of influenza and influenza-like illnesses which began early this summer in the State of Alaska, on cruise ships sailing between British Columbia and Alaska, and possibly in the Yukon Territory. As a result, Health Canada is issuing an advisory to the following groups who are considering travel to this region this summer. The following groups are at higher risk of complications from influenza than the general population. These are the same groups for whom annual vaccination against influenza is routinely recommended prior to the winter flu season:

• People 65 years of age and older;

• Adults and children with chronic cardiac or pulmonary disorders (e.g. cystic fibrosis or asthma) severe enough to require regular medical follow-up or hospital care;

• People of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities;

• Adults and children with chronic conditions such as diabetes and other metabolic diseases, cancer, immunodeficiency, immunosuppression, kidney disease and certain blood disorders;

• Children and adolescents with conditions treated for long periods with aspirin, and;

• Persons infected with HIV

People described above are encouraged to consult a physician prior to travelling to this region this summer, in order to discuss health risks, need for influenza vaccination (regardless of whether they received the vaccine last fall or winter), and whether antiviral medication (amantadine) should be prescribed.

This advisory is being issued because vaccination should be administered at least two weeks prior to travel for the vaccine to be effective. The influenza vaccine is the same one used for this past winter (1998-99) and, for most people, will reduce illness from three widely circulating strains of the virus. The influenza vaccine does not protect against other strains of virus or other non-influenza viruses or bacteria that cause illness which resembles influenza (with fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, etc.).

The occurrence of flu in North America is expected to increase in the winter months, so the likely reasons for the current increase include an increasing volume of travellers from all over the world to this region; the co-existence of large numbers of travellers in relatively confined spaces (cruise ships, buses, trains); the higher proportion of a senior population on these tours; the occurrence of flu-like illness among land-based travellers and travel industry workers in Alaska.

Health Canada believes that the situation poses no increased health risks to the local populations of B.C. and the Yukon. The cruise ship industry maintains ongoing surveillance and is reducing the risk of influenza transmission by having cruise ship employees vaccinated. Since there has been no evidence of widespread transmission of this illness, federal, provincial and territorial public health authorities are not recommending influenza vaccine for the general population.

Media inquiries:
Eric Morin
Health Canada
(613) 957-2978

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991