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Friends and family mourn the death of H1N1 victim Justin Bouvier
Updated 5 hours ago

Young Justin Bouvier of Timmins is being remembered and mourned by family and friends today as an easy-going friendly guy with “an infectious smile.”

The 15-year-old Timmins boy died at the Timmins and District Hospital on Wednesday. There is the possibility that his death is a direct result of the H1N1 influenza virus since he had tested positive for that virus before being hospitalized.

Bouvier, a student at O’Gorman High School, had what health unit officials describe a longstanding illness previously unrelated to any flu virus. The health unit says further testing will be required to confirm the precise cause of death.

Bouvier was confined to a wheelchair and was also well-known in the community as a child ambassador for Easter Seals.

His death has hit the community hard, not only because it has sparked fears about the flu virus in general, but because it has taken the life of the popular teen.

A Facebook sympathy page has been created so that friends and schoolmates at O’Gorman can post their remembrances. Dozens of people have already left messages.

One person wrote:”Justin was just a great kid, and got along well with every one, it must have been his infectious smile.”

Another student remembered Bouvier for the fact that he was able to help others who struggled with some of their classes.

A published obituary notice indicates Bouvier is survived by his mother Lorri-Anne, five sisters and a brother. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Miron-Wilson funeral home, with visitations on Friday. A funeral mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Cathedral at 12:00 noon on Saturday. The notice suggested that memoriam donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada.

In announcing the news of his death this week, Dr. Susan Kaczmarek, the Medical Officer of Health for the Porcupine Health Unit, said, “We have been informed that these tests were conducted on two male adolescents. One of these individuals was hospitalized and we learned (Wednesday) this morning that this young person has passed away. The second individual is recovering at home.” The health unit will be working with area schools and school boards to assist them in providing information about the H1N1 virus to concerned staff, students and parents, said the health unit news release.

According to the release, Dr. Kaczmarek says that the Porcupine Health Unit is receiving a lot of questions about H1N1.

She adds, “It is important for people to know that most people will have a typical course of influenza. They will be sick for a few days with a cough and fever and then recover. Although H1N1 is a relatively mild strain of influenza A, influenza can still be a serious illness, especially for people with conditions that increase their risk for complications. Those with risk factors may have a more severe illness.”

Understandably, parents will be concerned about sending their children to school, said the health unit release. Dr. Kaczmarek responds that H1N1, like all influenza, is generally a “community acquired disease”, meaning people can be exposed to this virus practically anywhere.

Glen Sheculski, the director of education for the English catholic school board, says there is no need for alarm among parents. He said they can be assured that the school and the school board is taking precautions.

“I hope there would be confidence in what we are doing at the school to ensure that the virus doesn’t spread any further,” Sheculski said Thursday morning. He added there is a cleaning staff at the school that knows how to clean things properly.

He also pointed that the health unit has described the flu as a community acquired virus. “So if you’re not at school and you go to the mall or where ever you could conceivably contract this anywhere within the community itself,” Sheculski said.

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