The confirmed A/H1N1 flu cases in Canada has risen to 10,156, the Public Health Agency of Canada ( PHAC) said Wednesday.
The disease has now spread to all of the country's 10 provinces and three territories, with Ontario province reporting the most cases, at 3,636.
The total of hospitalization cases have risen to 1,115, since the virus broke out in the country in late April.
A total of 45 people have died from the disease. Seventeen of the victims came from Quebec province, 15 from Ontario, six from Manitoba, three from Alberta and Saskatchewan respectively and one from British Columbia.
Earlier this week the PHAC and the federal Health Department released guidelines for health professionals on caring for pregnant women with A/H1N1 flu virus, noting while pregnant women are at no greater risk of becoming infected with the virus, research shows that they are more likely to suffer severe illness and complications if they catch it.
The PHAC also developed a fact sheet for expectant mothers, offering advice on how to prevent infection, and when to seek medical care.
Canada has a national antiviral stockpile which includes 55 million doses of both Tamiflu and Relenza. The Government of Canada also maintains the National Emergency Stockpile System, which provides a surge capacity of medical equipment and supplies to support provinces and territories during public health crises, the PHAC said in a press release.
PHAC is currently negotiating the purchase of 370 additional ventilators and has secured the purchase of 1.9 million N-95 masks to bolster the existing stockpile, the release said.
(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2009)
