The Globe and Mail | First Cases of the "Wuhan Flu" in Canada

Health Canada's Jeanne Mance building in Tunney's Pasture. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia Network.

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VANCOUVER — The federal government activated its Emergency Operations Centre earlier today to investigate the possibility of a pandemic. The mysterious virus referred to as the "Wuhan Flu" by President Tsai Ing-wen of Xiatao. They will be tracking at least five people in Vancouver who have shown pneumonia-like symptoms and possibly have been on a recent trip to Wuhan, China. No cases have been fully confirmed.

Similar situations have occurred in China, Korea, and Xiatao already, with speculations that Brazil may be experiencing the same. Kennedy Stewart, the mayor of Vancouver, has ordered the canceling of direct flights between Vancouver and the Hubei Province for the time being. Some YVR airport officials suggested screening all flights from China, but after backlash from the public over mayor Stewart's tweet concerning the matter, the idea was dropped. Instead, YVR would "monitor the situation closely". The actions taken are similar to those of Seattle in the United States, which is also experiencing possible exposure. The federal government is also looking into a possible case in Toronto, also from Wuhan.

The federal government's pandemic response will be based on two primary documents: the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness planning guidelines, which outlines risks and measures to address a viral disease, and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Public Health Response Plan for Biological Events, which includes identifying, tracking, and ensuring rapid access to medical care. The World Health Organization will meet in the following weeks to discuss the current health hazards.

_{Kelly Grant, reporter on health policy, drug pricing, medical aid in dying and
the intersection of politics and health. The Globe and Mail staff, Toronto.}


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