Key points for Weeks 3 and 4 (January 17–30, 2011)

• The number of reported cases of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is lower (n=71) than that observed during the same period last year (n=92).

• Three poisoning incidents in public-access facilities were reported to the surveillance system, two of which involved multiple people. In total, 11 people were exposed to CO fumes. The largest incident involved 8 people. Depending on the situation, the incidents were linked to the use of a bakery oven in a vocational high school, the use of a gas convection heater, or a malfunctioning boiler.

• Two accidental deaths were reported to the surveillance system. According to the information available at the time of reporting, the first death was linked to the malfunction of a gas space heater. The second death occurred following the use of a wood chip-fired boiler.