January 5, 2024
Dear Residents and Families:
We have identified two Residents who have tested Influenza A positive on 3 East at Pembina Place
MPCH. The ill Residents have been started on antiviral treatment and are isolating in their rooms.
We will also be offering all other Residents on 3 East antiviral treatment to prevent them from
becoming ill. We have discussed consent for this antiviral medication called Tamiflu or Oseltamivir (SEE INFO BELOW)
at your loved one’s care conference. We are monitoring all Residents carefully for any symptoms of
Influenza and will offer antiviral dosing to treatment doses for Residents who become ill in
consultation with the physician.
Please consider postponing your visits until after the outbreak has resolved to help reduce
possible transmission. We understand that family and visitors are vitally important, as such
visitation can continue, but we ask that visits occur in resident’s rooms only until the outbreak
is over, and that all visitors sanitize their hands before and after visiting. Please only visit
one resident if you do choose to visit, and do not come for a visit if feeling ill.
We also strongly encourage mask usage while visiting Residents.
If you have any questions about your Resident, please contact the Nursing Stations.
Please keep our Residents and Staff in your thoughts and prayers.
Gary J. Ledoux
CEO, The Bethania Group
Doris Furtado RN,GNC (C)
Director of Care
Monique Liarakos, Resident
Care Manager, PPMPCH
INFORMATION ABOUT Tamiflu™ (also known as Oseltamivir)
- What is Tamiflu™
Tamiflu™ is a prescription medication which has been shown to be about 80% effective in preventing
influenza. It is the only medication known which will prevent influenza outbreaks caused by
influenza B or influenza A resistant to another drug used for prevention, amantadine.
It has also been shown to be effective in reducing the length of symptoms and complications
following infection with influenza. It is a capsule taken by mouth. - What are the side effects of Tamiflu™?
Tamiflu™ does not usually cause many side effects. The most common side- effects are nausea and
vomiting and diarrhea in 4 – 6% of people. These do not last long and usually occur with the first
dose. Taking Tamiflu™ with food may reduce these side effects. More serious reactions have been
reported but the drug has not been proven to be the cause. - Does Tamiflu™ interact with other medications?
Existing information does not indicate that there are any clinically important interactions with
other medications. - How long will Tamiflu™ be given?
Tamiflu™ is usually given for about 10 days, the average time that an influenza outbreak lasts. - What happens if a person develops influenza when taking Tamiflu™?
Since Tamiflu™ can reduce the length of symptoms and complications, it will be given at a higher
treatment dose for 5 days and then stopped. - Do residents/patients have to take Tamiflu™?
No. If a decision is made not to receive Tamiflu™, no changes will be made to any care or
treatments already in place. - Is there a cost?
No, in this situation only, the medication is provided at no charge. - Who should not take Tamiflu™?
Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction to Tamiflu™. Persons with severe kidney disease
(check with the doctor prescribing Tamiflu™). Persons who are
pregnant may become pregnant or are breast-feeding.