Yukon confirms 1st swine flu case

The swine flu has arrived in Canada's North, as Yukon health officials confirmed the territory's first case on Tuesday.

Medical health officer Dr. Brendan Hanley said a woman who had recently travelled to Mexico contracted the H1N1 influenza virus.

The woman has since made a full recovery, and was not hospitalized, Hanley said.

Speaking to reporters in Whitehorse Tuesday morning, Hanley said Yukoners should not be any more concerned about swine flu now, even though it has been confirmed in the territory.

"We did expect it to appear here. As you know, we have a lot of Yukoners who did travel to Mexico; most are back now," he said.

"It's inevitable that we're going to see at least occasional cases in Yukon, and we want Yukoners to remain prepared, not alarmed."

There are more than 300 cases of swine flu across Canada.

The Yukon case marks the first in Canada's three territories. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut have not reported any cases to date.

Warns of 'double-whammy' fall flu season

Hanley said he does not know if any of the sole patient's contacts have become ill, but he warned that doctors now know the virus can spread from human-to-human contact.

"It's spreading within communities. We will likely see that happen, perhaps not this spring but perhaps in the fall … when we expect the normal flu season to come," he said.

"We might see this come back and at that time we might see a higher impact in terms of people affected. So that's the type of preparations we're now making, are for perhaps a heavy flu season and maybe a double-whammy flu season this fall [and] winter."

Anyone who experiences flu-like symptoms is asked to phone the Yukon HealthLine (811) for advice before going to the hospital or doctor's office.

Hanley said people who feel ill should isolate themselves, such as by staying home.

He also reminded the public to cough or sneeze into their sleeves and to wash their hands frequently, in order to help stop the virus's spread.