May 10, 2008

An assessment of all passengers on a VIA Rail train from Vancouver to Toronto has been completed and results confirm that there was no outbreak of infectious disease on the train. The train was stopped in Foleyet yesterday following the death of a passenger.

Five passengers who were ill before they boarded the train were assessed and samples taken for lab testing. Four of the five individuals tested positive for seasonal flu. These individuals had symptoms of seasonal flu on or before May 4th. They boarded the passenger train on May 7th in Jasper, Alberta. These individuals are no longer infectious.

All individuals seated in the vicinity of these five passengers were assessed. None have symptoms of influenza, but all passengers have been given information and told to contact their local public health unit if flu symptoms do arise.

Another passenger on the train experiencing flu like symptoms has tested positive for a cold virus.

A passenger who was airlifted to Timmins and District Hospital yesterday was assessed and is in stable condition. Lab results are all negative for the flu and other respiratory illness.

The death of the passenger who passed away is under investigation, but an infectious disease as a cause of death has been ruled out.

• The train carried 264 passengers and 30 crew for a total of 294 individuals

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