A mysterious flu has sent at least a dozen people from an isolated community to hospital in central Canada's Manitoba province, local media reported Wednesday, Xinhua reported.
While most people are experiencing mild symptoms, the flu has caused two pregnant women to fall seriously ill, including one who lost her child, the Canadian Press cited Chief David McDougall of the St. Theresa Point First Nation as saying.
It has also prompted the community to cancel some public events.
The community of 3,200, located roughly 500 kilometers northeast of provincial capital Winnipeg, is only accessible by air.
Tests are underway to see if the illnesses are being caused by the new A/H1N1 flu virus that has circulated in many countries. The provincial and federal governments have sent more doctors and nurses there.
Provincial health officials would not discuss St. Theresa Point on Wednesday, and would only say that 27 new cases of the H1N1 flu have been confirmed across the province, bringing the total to 38.
Of the new cases, three were from the sprawling health region that includes St. Theresa Point, but it is not known which communities the cases come from.
The uncertainty has prompted some residents of the reserve to wear masks. Officials are asking people to wash their hands frequently and take other precautions including limiting contact.