The World Health Organization has now raised its alert level for the spread of swine flu to phase 5, putting it on the brink of declaring a pandemic. Canadian and even Wpg. doctors meantime, are working on a vaccine for this outbreak, but, it could be sometime before one gets produced. The flu is now suspected in 168 deaths in Mexico, and there are now 19 cases in this country.
Manitoba’s top Doc says this flu has no doubt spread to Manitoba already. Dr. Joel Kettner says there are likely people out there carrying the virus, but they either don’t feel sick or are only mildly ill. Kettner says it only makes sense given all the traveling that’s done by Manitobans to Mexico. So far 9 Manitobans have been tested for the swine flu, but all have come back negative.
And for all you lotto 6/49 “pool-ies” this morning….there’s someone walking around Quebec that’s got a pretty rich piece of paper. It turns out there was only one winning ticket for last night’s 6/49 draw, and the lucky winner is somewhere in “La Belle Province.” Last night’s draw by the way was worth 32.9 million dollars.
There will soon be a new attraction in Winnipeg. The Zoo will become the only one in the Western Hemisphere to have a permanent display of Asian lions. Apparently, a million dollars is being spent on renovations to the old Panda exhibit, in order to house the endangered cats. The Zoo doesn’t actually have any of the rare cats yet…but, they’re hoping once the exhibit is done, they’ll be able to find a couple.
Police and child welfare officials in California have questioned Octo-Mom, Nadya Suleman, after a teacher reported that her 4 year old autistic son showed up at school with a black eye and bite marks. Suleman’s lawyer says it’s not clear if any action will be taken against the mother of 14. He says the child likely fell and may have been bitten by a younger sibling.
This news will make people happy….especially those who are getting a little tired of heading out to cast a vote. The Harper government has drawn up a plan that would see it avoid an election this year. Apparently the P.M. wants his minority government to survive until after the Vancouver winter Olympics next year, so it can bask in the glow of the games.
