Infant in Kashechewan First Nation dies due to respiratory illness
Jonathan Migneault | CBC News | Posted: January 7, 2025 10:00 AM | Last Updated: January 7
Mushkegowuk Council acting grand chief says the child had Group A Streptococcus
An infant from Kashechewan First Nation has died after acquiring Group A Streptococcus, confirmed Mushkegowuk Council Acting Grand Chief Amos Wesley.
Wesley said a man in his 20s is also "fighting for his life" at the intensive care unit at the Health Sciences North Hospital in Sudbury, due to the same infection.
The Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, which services James Bay communities, tells CBC that while it has seen an increase of respiratory illness, no official outbreak been declared.
The nearby Fort Albany First Nation has cancelled school for the rest of the week due to a respiratory illness outbreak in that community.
Attawapiskat First Nation has anlso cancelled school, and is encouraging people to practice COVID-19 pandemic-era precautions, including social distancing and wearing a mask while out in public.
"We're worried because it could overwhelm the health system and overwhelm the Ornge transportation system," Wesley said.
"I know that down south, hospitals are overwhelmed."
Acting Grand Chief Wesley said he could not confirm if all the respiratory illnesses present in the James Bay coast communities were Group A Streptococcus, or if there were other illnesses as well.
"I haven't heard anything from public health, but I do know in Kashechewan they've been cautioned about this respiratory virus that's going around in the community," he said.