Key points for weeks 51 and 52 (December 20–January 2, 2011)

• The number of reported cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning (n=107) is lower than that observed during the same period last year (n=150), when extremely cold weather conditions were reported.

• Four poisoning incidents in public-access facilities were reported to the surveillance system, two of which involved multiple people. In total, 42 people were exposed to CO fumes. The largest incident involved 33 people. The incidents were linked, depending on the case, to the use of an indoor barbecue, a malfunctioning boiler, the use of gas radiant panel heating, or the use of a wood stove.

• A mass poisoning incident involving three people occurred during a rave party following the improper use of generators.

• Two accidental deaths in the home were reported to the surveillance system. According to the information available at the time of reporting, the first death occurred following a mass poisoning incident involving 6 members of the same family linked to the use of a gas boiler in an unventilated room. The second occurred in the home of a person living alone and was linked to a blocked exhaust vent on a boiler.