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 TINA L'HIRONDELLE |
EDMONTON - The swine flu virus was a "contributing factor" in the death of a northern Alberta woman, provincial health officials confirmed yesterday.
The woman - who friends described as a cheerful, popular community member from a large, loving family - is the first Canadian whose death has been linked to the widespread H1N1 virus.
She also had pre-existing medical conditions, said officials, who declined to reveal the woman's name.
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Friends, however, identified her as Tina L'Hirondelle, 39, of the Gift Lake Metis Settlement, about 400 km northeast of Edmonton.
"She was a very easy-going lady, a very happy person, and well liked by everybody. I don't think she ever had any enemies in her lifetime," said family friend Edward Lamouche.
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The woman had the flu virus present in her body at the time of her death on April 28, but health workers are still trying to determine whether that was what killed her, said Alberta's top doctor Andre Corriveau.
"At the time, the physicians taking care of her didn't even think of flu as a possibility," Corriveau said.
But when it was confirmed Wednesday that a family member - identified by friends as the woman's mother - had contracted a mild form of the flu virus, officials ordered further testing on the deceased.
Her mother is said to be in good health and recovering at home.
Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health, said they are still awaiting final pathology reports, which likely won't be available until next week, to see what role the virus played in her death.
Neither of the women had recently travelled to Mexico.
"We're still missing bits of information. There is going to be some investigation that needs to continue to get the full picture," Corriveau said, adding they currently are not examining any other potential swine flu-related deaths.
Predy said the relative may have contracted the virus at the dead woman's funeral, held Monday in the community of roughly 900.
The 300 or so mourners have been contacted, placed on alert and advised to seek medical attention if they develop any flu-like symptoms.
A public health assessment clinic has been set up in the community with nurses assessing patients. Those exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be administered the Tamiflu drug, Predy said.
He also noted a surveillance system is in place at hospitals across the province to monitor for possible cases.
Corriveau reminded the public that although all deaths come as a surprise, one death is a small number and is no immediate cause for concern for Albertans.
But some community members are worried about the possible spread of the flu infection.
"People are close, they hang around each other. It's not hard to pass from one person to the other," Lamouche said.
Len Laboucan, who officiated at L'Hirondelle's funeral, said community members seem to be taking precautions to protect themselves by heading to their nearest health centre if they feel ill.
"I think this should not raise an alarm," Laboucan said, taking a moment to offer prayers and condolences to the L'Hirondelle family.
"I think it's just a matter of getting the word out, getting people checked out, and making sure everyone is OK."
David Drummond, settlement administrator, agreed with Laboucan, adding the community is working with Alberta Health Services to disseminate information on how people can protect themselves and their families from the flu virus.
The young girl who was hospitalized with swine flu last week is doing much better, officials said, and expected to be released from hospital shortly.
About 4,000 Canadians die of the flu annually and many have underlying conditions that put them at increased risk, said Corriveau.
A total of 44 people have died of the flu strain in Mexico and two in the U.S. with 243 confirmed cases of the outbreak strain of H1N1 in Canada.
L'Hirondelle is one of nine new confirmed cases in Alberta, bringing the provincial total to 42.
Ontario reported six new cases yesterday, bringing the total there to 62. In Quebec, four new cases have been confirmed bringing the total to 15. Nova Scotia recorded three new cases, bringing the total there to 56. British Columbia now has 60 cases with six new cases confirmed. And Prince Edward Island confirmed one new case for a total of three.
Almost all Canadian cases have been mild.
Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the three territories, haven't officially reported any cases.
CLARA.HO@SUNMEDIA.CA