Newfoundland and Labrador has revised the number of H1N1-related deaths down to five from the former total of eight.
Health Minister Jerome Kennedy said Wednesday that 15 people who died in the province this fall were confirmed to have contracted the H1N1 virus but he said a review of their cases by Dr. Simon Avis, the province's chief medical examiner, has found that influenza was only directly related to their deaths in five cases.
"This review by Dr. Avis, supported by a team of medical specialists, provides us with an accurate picture of individuals who have died primarily as a result of H1N1 infection," said Kennedy in a news release."
"Because all of these individuals tested positive for H1N1 at the time of death, all deaths will be reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for surveillance purposes. However, it is important that we are able to determine whether H1N1 was the primary cause of death."
The province is using PHAC's definition of a H1N1 related death: a death occurring in any person with laboratory-confirmed pandemic (H1N1) influenza with no period of complete recovery between illness and death.
In addition to the eight deaths that were previously reported by provincial officials, Kennedy said the health department also received laboratory confirmation of an additional seven deaths of individuals who tested positive for H1N1, either before or after their deaths.
Avis and the medical officials he worked with reviewed patient charts: discussed their cases with the attending physicians and reviewed autopsy findings, concluding that five of the 15 people died as a result of H1N1.
The ages of the five individuals ranged from 29 to 58. Four were female and one was male.
"It was important to perform this review as it helps the public and the medical community better understand the direct impact of the H1N1 virus, including the types of patients who unfortunately are at higher risk of having serious complications," said Avis in a release.
"We were pleased to be able to provide this support to the department to ensure accuracy in reporting."
