The Alberta Children’s Hospital is focused on making sure it controls the current outbreak of influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu, while preventing future ones as well.
On Monday, three cases of of the flu were confirmed at the hospital, with two children and one staff member contracting the virus.
The hospital is now looking at the measures it has to take to prevent another outbreak.
“There are a few things we can do to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” said Dr. Richard Musto, medical officer of health for the Calgary area.
“The first is directed at the public and to remind people if they are ill, they should not be coming into the hospital.”
Musto said the hospital also needs to make sure staff members are not entering the hospital if they are unwell, and to make sure people in the hospital use proper etiquette such as washing their hands and coughing into their sleeve.
Musto did admit that there is no guaranteed way to prevent an outbreak.
It is believed that the infected children caught the influenza virus while they were in the hospital.
None of the cases are considered life-threatening.
