Cascadia Hit By The Mexican Swine Flu!

Two cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Metro Vancouver.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has issued a “preliminary confirmation” that two B.C. residents have tested positive for the virus, which has caused illness in the United States and Mexico and been linked to 20 deaths.

The Ministry of Health Services issued a news release today (April 26) stating that both British Columbians experienced influenza-like illness, but did not suffer from severe respiratory illness. They have both recovered.

The specimens will be sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for further testing.

The symptoms of swine flu can resemble those of regular seasonal influenza, including a fever, cough, headaches, general aches, fatigue, and other symptoms, according to the ministry news release. Some with swine flu might also experience a runny nose, diarrhea, vomiting, a sore throat, and nausea.

It’s caused by a Type A influenza virus.

“The World Health Organization indicates there have been more than 854 reports of severe respiratory illness in Mexico, including at least 20 deaths, and many are reported to be young adults,” the health ministry stated. “Of these, at least 20 deaths have been attributed to swine flu by the Mexican health authorities and numbers are expected to rise.”