The number of confirmed cases of A/H1N1 flu in Canada increased to 51 on Friday as the government launched a massive public education campaign and other measures to better deal with the outbreak.

All of the cases in Canada have been mild, officials said, adding that there have been no deaths caused by the never-seen-before flu that has alarmed the world for a week.

Six of Canada's 13 provinces and territories now have reported cases of the flu. The provinces of Ontario and British Columbia on Friday each confirmed four new cases. Nova Scotia reported six new cases and Alberta two. New Brunswick, meanwhile, reported its first case.

One of the two new patients in Alberta became ill after a recent trip to Tennessee in the United States. The second patient got sick after she returned from Mexico, said Dr. Andre Corriveau, the province's chief medical officer.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced at a news conference in Ottawa a new campaign to alert Canadians to the importance of taking precautions to prevent a spread of the virus.

The campaign has a number of phases that can be activated as the situation evolves, Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's chief public health officer, said at the news conference.

Traditional media as well as new media, including social web sites such as Facebook and Twitter, will all be used to educate the public.

"Knowledge is the best defense and we want to keep Canadians continually informed with useful and timely information concerning influenza," Butler-Jones said. "This campaign will equip Canadians to protect themselves further."

Authorities have distributed about 55 million doses of antivirus drugs from a national stockpile, and have begun discussions with drug companies on the production of a vaccine, officials said.

Butler-Jones expressed some optimism about the outbreak, saying it could possibly slow during the next few months as the flu season nears its end. That, the doctor said, will give scientists enough time to develop a vaccine.

"What gives me short term optimism is that we are at the end of what would be normally flu season. So, the chances are that this will die down over the summer," Butler-Jones said.

If the outbreak follows the normal pattern of influenza, researchers will be in a position to develop a vaccine down the road, he said.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Agency of Canada has advised against health workers wearing surgical masks because there is no evidence to suggest that they prevent the spread of the virus.

Improper use of masks actually may increase the risk of infection, the agency said on its web site, because the face covers do not act as an effective barrier against the flu virus when worn for extended periods of time.

In addition, removing a mask incorrectly can spread the virus to one's hands and face, the agency said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2009)