Opinion: Witless handling of news release on flu deaths has real downsides
“Provincial health officer’s statement on influenza-related deaths in children, youth,” said the headline.Sign up to know what's really happening by reading daily editorials and commentary by British Columbia's opinion leadersBy clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc.
She’d been asked during a media briefing Monday about a confirmed report of the death of a six-year-old from complications from the flu. Some of the details in Henry’s statement were sobering as well: “The children who died included one who was younger than five years old, three who were between five and nine, and two adolescents who were between 15 and 19. Death associated with influenza in previously healthy children is a tragic, but rare event and is especially rare in school-age children and teens.”Article content
“This is an unusual season with unusual characteristics, including an early and intense surge in cases. With this unusual pattern, enhanced surveillance has been implemented that includes reporting of pediatric influenza-related deaths to public-health officials. As the information is confirmed, updates on pediatric influenza-related deaths will be posted weekly as part of the respiratory surveillance summaries on the BCCDC website.
The three retired public servants who did the review cited numerous concerns about misleading, evasive and incomplete pandemic communications from the Health Ministry and the office of the provincial health officer. “There was strict central control of the messaging, including actively discouraging any questioning or challenging of the provincial health officer.”
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