A Victoria, B.C., woman is battling swine flu after a vacation in Mexico -- the 13th Canadian to be tested positive for the illness.
Michelle Bossi, 30, initially sought medical attention in Cancun after contracting flu-like symptoms last week. She was told it was only bronchitis, but to seek immediate treatment when she returned to Canada.
"We kept our masks on and flew home and had a high, high fever and went straight to the hospital here," Bossi said.
Officials at Victoria General Hospital told Bossi she was not suffering swine flu and told her to go home.
"I was still really sick and I was really mad that they sent me home," she said.
Bossi says the Chief Medical Officer from the Vancouver Island Health Authority called her Monday night to say that her nasal test confirmed she indeed had swine flu.
"They said it wasn't as strong as the one in Mexico. It was the one going around the U.S. and Canada," Bossi said.
"I'm pretty scared. I'm pretty sick as it is and I have a very low immune system."
Her father, Roger Friesen, says it was irresponsible of the hospital to send her home.
"She had every textbook symptom of the swine flu, they knew there was a swine flu epidemic or at least symptoms going around and yet they gave all the tests, told her she wasn't contagious and told her to go home," Friesen said.
"That shows a complete disregard for public safety. I'd like to see them take responsibility for their actions."
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has confirmed the province has another case of swine flu, bringing a total of three cases in British Columbia.
Two people who tested positive in the Lower Mainland are now recovering.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, exhaustion, coughing, muscle and joint pain and sore throat.
The Centre for Disease Control says it is ready to deal with any flu cases that may be diagnosed here and the province has a large stock of anti-viral medicine that will protect against the disease.
The World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert level to Phase 4 from Phase 3 late Monday.
Mexico has linked 152 deaths to swine flu infection, while 50 cases have been diagnosed in the U.S. and New Zealand has joined Canada, Spain and Scotland in confirming cases of the disease.
Meanwhile, Canada has now issued a travel warning to Mexico, with major airlines and tour operators allowing passengers to change their destination or delay their holiday without penalty.
In light of the travel warning, many major airlines and tour operators -- including Air Canada Vacations, Air Transat and Sunwing -- have cancelled flights to Mexico through the end of May.
