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Influenza A (H1N1) Outbreak
June 11, 2009
Ongoing news about Influenza A (H1N1) and the World Health Organization raising the pandemic alert to level 6 has people concerned. In order to remain healthy, it is important to understand the facts.
What is the Influenza A (H1N1) and how is it spread?
Influenza A (H1N1) is a specific kind of influenza A virus that can cause respiratory illness in
humans. All influenza viruses are spread through droplets in an infected person’s mucous.
The droplets are most commonly transferred when the infected person sneezes or coughs.
What does the alert level 6 mean?
The World Health Organization’s decision to move from level 5 to level 6 on June 11, 2009 involved several factors, including data that indicates the virus has spread globally and, in some countries, incidence has risen. For individuals, this means continuing to use practices to stay healthy.
What can I do to stay healthy?
Since influenza is spread through person-to-person contact, frequent and proper hand washing is the most effective way to protect yourself. It is also important to sneeze and cough into your sleeve (the inside of your elbow) or a tissue. Be sure to dispose of the tissue in a garbage receptacle after each use.
How do I know if I have the Influenza A (H1N1)?
The symptoms are the same as other strains of flu (fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, muscle
aches and coughing).
If you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, stay at home. Minimizing your contact with
others is an important factor to keeping everyone healthy, regardless of the type of virus.
How long does the virus live outside the body?
It has not been confirmed how long this strain of influenza can live outside the body (e.g. on
doorknobs, telephones and keyboards). However, most influenza strains can survive up to 8
hours on most surfaces.
What is proper hand washing?
- Wet your hands with warm running water.
- Add soap, and then rub your hands together, making a soapy lather. Do this away from the running water for at least 15 seconds, being careful not to wash the lather away. Wash the front and back of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under your nails.
- Rinse your hands well under warm running water.
- Pat hands dry with a paper towel or clean towel at home.
- Turn off water using same paper towel and dispose in a proper receptacle. At home, be sure to change your hand towels regularly.
Should I use hand sanitizer?
Washing your hands with warm soapy water is best. However, hand sanitizers are an excellent alternative when running water is not available. Be sure to use products that contain more than 60% alcohol for full effectiveness.
What should employers be doing?
Maintaining good employee health is important at all times. To prevent the spread of all forms of influenza, employers should actively remind employees to stay home if they are feeling unwell and experiencing flu-like symptoms. Also, ensure that washrooms are properly stocked with soap and paper towels and that hand sanitizing gel is available in high-traffic areas such as reception and lunch rooms.
As well, employers should have business continuity plans to prevent wide-spread illness within their workforce (e.g. working remotely, satellite offices, cross-training) and to ensure key operations can continue uninterrupted in the event of a serious outbreak within their workforce.
Where can I get more information?
The following websites are reliable sources of news and information regarding the current situation with Influenza A(H1N1).
www.fightflu.ca (Government of Canada website)
www.cdc.gov/swineflu (Centres for Disease Control)
www.who.int/en (World Health Organization) |
