The Canadian health ministry has sent kits containing hand sanitizers, facemasks and dozens of body bags to indigenous tribes as part of the country's preparedness plan against Mexican flu.
 
A few months ago, indigenous communities in the province of Manitoba province were hard-hit by a deadly A(H1N1) outbreak, and asked Ottawa for medical supplies to prepare for a possible second outbreak.   

However, leaders of the so-called First Nations have reacted furiously. Jerry Knott, chief of the Wasagamack First Nation, said: "We had asked for funding so we can get organized and to ensure medicines, hand sanitizers and other preventative kits were in place, but instead we are shocked to receive body bags." Chief David McDougall of the Saint Theresa Point band said: "This is an ominous sign that the government is predicting a grim outcome." 

Earlier, the government said that the Mexican flu would hit indigenous peoples harder because of their often poor living conditions. Canada's Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said she has asked officials for an explanation.