H1N1 is here.

As of last Thursday 36 cases had been confirmed in the Labrador-Grenfell Health (LG Health) region, most of which were on the Northern Peninsula.

"However, we must caution that that number is not reflective of the actual number of cases," said Dr. Muna Ar-Rushdi. "We suspect there are many more cases in our communities. Though to date the majority of cases have been mild - Most people have stayed at home to treat their symptoms there and keep it contained."

Now that the virus is here LG Health is moving away from testing, which was consuming laboratory resources, concentrating instead on containment of the virus and its vaccination program. Over the coming weeks clinics will be set up in communities throughout the health authority's region.

Immunization of health care workers began last week, along with programs in several rural Labrador communities. LG Health is receiving its doses of the vaccine as they arrive in St. John's for distribution to the various health authorities. While chief executive officer Boyd Rowe confirmed there will be enough vaccines for the entire population of LG Health's coverage area, they are distributing them to people of higher risk.

Those prioritized to receive the vaccine are:

- Individuals under 65 with chronic health conditions;

- Individuals living in remote and isolated settings or communities;

- Children six months up to five years of age;

- Health care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential care services;

- Pregnant women; and

- Household contacts and caregivers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines and populations otherwise identified as high risk.

"Initial efforts are concentrated on remote, isolated communities and health care workers," said Dr. Ar-Rushdi. "LG Health encourages all residents to receive the vaccine as it is safe and provides the best protection from H1N1."

The dates and locations of immunization clinics appear in an advertisement in this week's edition of the Pen. Those dates are subject to change - people are encouraged to listen for updates on the radio or visit the website www.lghealth.ca

Those wanting updates can also call the Newfoundland and Labrador Healthline at 1-888-709-2929 or 1-877-896-0422.

Dr. Ar-Rushdi pointed out that by September of this year the H1N1 virus had killed 76 Canadians, as compared to seasonal influenza (the flu) which kills up to 4,000 Canadians annually. Those killed by the flu are usually the elderly and very young, but the H1N1 virus has hit many healthy people.

"It is a new virus and influenza viruses mutate," explained Dr. Ar-Rushdi. "Because we don't know what this virus will do, it may continue to be mild or mutate into something worse, we have developed the vaccine to prevent further cases so we do not see it in large numbers."

LG Health is recommending that everyone get vaccinated.

Those who already have flu-like symptoms but haven't yet been tested are recommended to be vaccinated. Those who have tested positive for H1N1 already will develop their own immunities naturally and do not need to be vaccinated.

As a consequence of LG Health's battle with the H1N1 virus, most public health outreach programs will be temporarily suspended to free up public health professionals.