Although the H1N1 strain hasn't been an epidemic in the National Hockey League, there have been early indications that the league is hardly immune.
On Tuesday, the Colorado Avalanche confirmed that backup goalie Peter Budaj has swine flu, but that no other players have come down with the H1N1 virus. Budaj will remain at home as the club opens a four-game road trip beginning tonight in Edmonton, where the Oilers have their own flu concerns.
''A few of our people have contracted a little flu-like symptoms and so we're trying to be really cautious of everybody,'' Oilers coach Pat Quinn said.
The casualty list keeps growing in Oil country. First came Ales Hemsky and Ladislav Smid, and then Gilbert Brule and Mike Comrie.
Hemsky missed the Oilers' 5-2 victory over the Wild on October 16, but logged 19:16 of ice time against the Canucks the following Monday, while Smid missed a couple of days before returning to the lineup in the Oilers' 6-4 win over the Blue Jackets last Thursday.
Centres Gilbert Brule and Mike Comrie are the latest Oilers to be struck with the flu. Both missed last weekend's trip to Calgary, but are expected back this evening when the Oilers host the Avalanche.
''I was bed-ridden and achy everywhere,'' Brule explained of the symptoms. ''I was really dehydrated. I had headaches and a high fever. It was a tough few days but I'm glad to be back with the team now.''
With worries about a possible flu outbreak, teams have been prompted to take additional precautionary measures.
''I think there's a real scare going on and we are doing everything we can to make sure our players are accommodated and safe,'' Senators general manager Bryan Murray said.
Calgary Flames GM Brent Sutter realizes the importance of paying attention to the signs of the flu, but said that the guys in the locker room can't think too much about it.
''It's no different now then any other year,'' said Sutter. ''It's monitored very closely and we try to keep the guys as healthy as we can. You know there's a bug out there but you can't think about it too much.''
Jarome Iginla echoed Sutter's sentiment but said that he has more concerns this year than in any other.
''Yeah, we have the same concerns as anyone else. The recommendations are to get the vaccine so when they become available, I imagine a big portion of us will get it.
''You just have to take precautions and not think about it too much,'' said Iginla.
The NHL's protocol for dealing with the flu virus includes everything from the regular use of hand sanitizers to using separate water bottles and towels, but the league is taking a wait-and-see approach to an outbreak, saying it will review all situations that arise.
''We have been regularly providing our clubs with updated information and recommendations as they become available,'' NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told TSN in a statement. ''We have not mandated specific precautions or courses of action. The league is monitoring the progression of the flu, but have implemented no specific 'contingency plans' at this point in time. However, we will be prepared to do so should it become necessary.''
The National Football League has created a policy to provide relief to teams if they're hit hard by the swine flu. The league sent out a memo to teams saying they can receive roster exemptions if enough players contract swine flu.
A memo from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell states, "If a club has at least six players unable to participate as the result of confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu, it can receive roster exemptions for those players and promote players from its own practice squad to replace them. They must be medically confirmed cases of swine flu. This procedure does not apply to any other type of flu or illness.''
The NHL, National Basketball Association, and Major League Baseball do not have similar provisions.