Swine flu in Canada, update

CANADA/HEALTH - Canada's H1N1 flu epidemic (also known as swine flu) is expected to pass the 250 person mark today. The deadly flu has only killed 1 Canadian so far, but more deaths is expected as laboratory tests confirm whether or not people have the H1N1 virus.

Delays receiving laboratory test results have opened up the question of how serious the Canadian government is taking the epidemic. So far the death rate in Canada has been pretty low (less than 0.5%) but it could get potentially a lot worse if not tracked and documented.

If a single case goes unnoticed someone could accidentally (or deliberately) spread the deadly flu to other Canadians simply by visiting highly populated public places like shopping malls, schools or retirement homes.