HAE Canada continues to remain focused on the health and well-being of patients with hereditary angioedema, and other related angioedema, in Canada. We would like to share what information we have gathered regarding the COVID-19 virus and HAE patients, however, we highly recommend you contact your HAE specialist if you have specific medical questions regarding your health.

The global community is just learning about COVID-19, therefore, there is little information relating it to HAE patients. Nevertheless, expert physicians have said that having HAE (Types I/II or Normal C1 inhibitor) or other forms of related angioedema does NOT increase:

  • The risk of being infected with COVID-19, nor
  • The severity of infection if the virus is contracted.

Furthermore, infections of any type may be a trigger for attacks, so it is important to make sure medications are taken as prescribed and that prescriptions are kept current. We want to inform our members that there are NO HAE treatment shortages in Canada at this time.

COVID-19 in Canada:
Cases of COVID-19 in provinces and across Canada changes by the hour. Please continue to check your regional public health for area-specific information.

Plasma Products:
The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) has issued a statement that there is no risk of transmission of COVID-19 into plasma products.
https://www.pptaglobal.org/23-advocacy/access-to-care/1057-covid-19

Remain Updated:
HAE Canada will continue to update our members on HAE specific information. We are in regular communication with HAE International and will be sure to share HAEi’s information as necessary. The Canadian HAE Network (CHAEN) is also working to keep its membership of HAE physician specialists informed.

For more information, please visit the following websites:
COVID-19 map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Canadian Blood Services:
https://www.blood.ca/en

WHO:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Public Health Agency of Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

Government of Canada:
www.canada.ca/coronavirus

Thank you & please stay safe,
The HAE Canada Team