OTTAWA — The World Health Organization’s decision to declare the swine flu outbreak a pandemic is largely technical and people shouldn’t worry, says Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq.
Aglukkaq told a news conference Thursday that the move means the virus is spreading worldwide, not that it has become more dangerous. And she said it doesn’t change the way Canada is dealing with the outbreak.
“Today’s WHO declaration is primarily a technical decision that is based on how the virus has spread, and does not reflect how severe it is,” she said.
“I want to reassure Canadians that their government and public health officials were prepared for this decision by the WHO and this decision does not change our approach here in Canada.
“Canada is well prepared for the situation. We have a national plan that we have been following.”
She noted that most cases in Canada have been mild, adding that health officials are working with First Nations leaders to deal with outbreaks in their communities.
Canada’s chief public health officer also played down concerns.
“We in Canada have been dealing with H1 since the beginning,” said Dr. David Butler-Jones.
“So going from Level 5 to 6 only reflects broader spread internationally of what we have already seen.”
The WHO formally notified health officials worldwide Thursday that it was raising the pandemic alert to its highest level — the first such declaration since the 1968 Hong Kong flu.
The virus appears to be on the wane after peaking last month.
Butler-Jones said lessons learned this spring during the flu’s first round are helping health officials plan and prepare for a likely resurgence in the fall.
“We will continue to adapt and respond to what we are actually seeing here and internationally,” he said.
The federal government has signed a contract with pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline to produce a new vaccine for swine flu when one is developed. Butler-Jones said a flu shot could be ready by the fall.
Other measures being taken include heightening surveillance, issuing guidelines to doctors and readying anti-viral medication.
Canada has confirmed 3,047 cases of swine flu, most of them mild. Four people have died and another 138 have been hospitalized.