On June 11th, the World Health Organization announced that the recent H1N1 influenza outbreak had reached global pandemic levels. Since the virus was first identified in April, Canada has been among the countries hardest hit by the new strain of H1N1. As the Government of Canada's lead agency for health research, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has been paying close attention to this emerging infectious disease. In this section, you will find information about our current actions in response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic and about CIHR-supported research efforts for pandemic preparedness and response. CIHR is also working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada to address research related issues. Canadian researchers are indeed responding.

For more information

• Public Health Agency of Canada / Canadian Institutes of Health Research Influenza Research Network (PCIRN) Questions & Answers
• Preparing and Responding to the Pandemic H1N1 2009 Influenza Virus
• Message from the Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Infection and Immunity
• CIHR's Response to H1N1 Influenza Outbreak - Questions and Answers
• Summaries of CIHR-supported Pandemic Research
• Pandemic Preparedness Strategic Research Initiative
• Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Meeting: H1N1 Outbreak Research Response
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Centre for Disease Control
• World Health Organization

Please note: the Public Health Agency of Canada advises Canadians to:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer.
• Cough and sneeze in your arm or sleeve.
• Keep doing what you normally do, but stay home if sick.
• Check the fightflu.ca for more information.
• Check voyage.gc.ca for travel notices and advisories.
• Talk to a health professional if you experience flu-like symptoms.