Flu-like illness sends 12 from northern Manitoba to hospital

Two adults are in critical condition in Winnipeg hospital and 10 children have also been admitted for care following an outbreak of a flu-like illness in a remote northern Manitoba community.

One of the two adult women was pregnant and has lost the baby, said David McDougall, chief of St. Theresa Point First Nation.

"There's a good number that got sick with the same, similar symptoms," he said. "But the severe cases have been [flown] to Winnipeg. It's a respiratory illness and it's very dangerous, potentially dangerous especially for young people."

It is not yet known if this is swine flu, which spread to many countries this spring, McDougall said.

"Right now they have determined that it is a form of influenza, influenza A, but the strain hasn't been determined yet. So we're just concentrating on getting people proper treatment," he said. "And of course, we're taking the necessary precautions, telling people not to congregate in huge crowds and try to limit contact and wash [their] hands."

Until the virus is known and dealt with, school will remain closed in St. Theresa Point. By Wednesday, there will be 10 nurses in the community of 3,200 people, and a second doctor is on the way, said McDougall.

The community, only accessible by airplane or winter ice roads, is located about 500 kilometres from Winnipeg in the far northeast corner of the province.