Why are people saying that people living in remote areas – where there are fewer people to spread the H1N1 Flu Virus – are at higher risk from the flu?
Many remote and isolated communities, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, have higher than the national average incidence of underlying chronic medical conditions, putting them at increased risk of severe illness from H1N1 infection. Some of these communities face other public health challenges, such as overcrowding, that may increase the opportunity for H1N1 Flu Virus to spread. A further concern for people living in remote and isolated areas is that if someone in a remote or isolated area does get severe complications from the H1N1 Flu Virus, it may take some time to get them to a hospital should they need hospitalization. This is especially true for fly-in communities, which is why getting a vaccine is highly recommended for all people in remote and isolated communities.
