“While there are currently no suspect cases or lab confirmed cases of Human Swine Influenza on Prince Edward Island, we are working closely with our Federal, Provincial Territorial colleagues across the country and we are following national guidelines and protocols to ensure that we are well prepared in the event that we discover any cases in Prince Edward Island,” said Dr. Heather Morrison, Chief Health Officer for the Department of Health.

Swine Influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. People do not normally get swine influenza, but human infections can and do happen. This new strain of human swine influenza does spread from person to person.

The symptoms of human swine influenza are similar to the symptoms of common or seasonal influenza and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting.