Against H1N1

H1N1 Flu Virus is a strain of the influenza virus that usually affects pigs, but which may also make people sick. H1N1 flu virus is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu

H1N1 Flu Virus has been reported around the world, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a pandemic influenza virus.

Governments around the world and the World Health Organization are engaged to investigate and address this situation.

This pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus is thought to be spread from person to person in the same way as seasonal influenza where transmission occurs predominantly through coughing or sneezing. Indirect transmission can also occur through self inoculation after contact with surfaces and objects contaminated with the virus from infected persons.

Like seasonal flu, the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza infection in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe, with the most severe disease occurring in emerging risk groups such as the immuno-compromised and pregnant women to name a few.

The incubation period for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus is understood to be up to 4 days and the period of communicability up to 7 days from onset of symptoms in uncomplicated cases, this may be longer (up to 10 days) in individuals with severe illness and children in whom symptoms and virus shedding may persist. Consistent with seasonal flu transmission of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus is most likely during the initial days of infection when the individual is symptomatic and has a high viral load.

Illness among school-aged children and transmission within schools has occurred in various provinces and territories.

Schools, daycare centers and public institutions should be encouraged to promote basic infection control practices using recommended cough etiquette like hand washing, covering one's cough and sneezes and avoiding contact with people who are sick. Ill students and staff should remain at home and seek medical attention as necessary.

Protect Yourself and Others !

All strains of influenza can be dangerous; however, good infection prevention measures can help protect you and others if this virus begins to spread rapidly. Wash your hands often and thoroughly in warm, disinfectant soapy water or use hand sanitizer!

Cough and sneeze in your arm, not your hand!
Keep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected!
Stay home if you're sick, unless directed to seek medical care!

Prevent H1N1 flu virus with frequent hand washing

Hand washing, when done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Good hand washing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases among both children and adults.

Cover your cough and sneeze

Sneeze and cough into your elbow or sleeve or use a tissue. After wiping or blowing your nose with a tissue, throw away the tissue and wash your hands! Keep your fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth!

Stay at home and avoid crowds when sick

If you are sick, avoid going to work and being in large crowds as you can spread influenza easily to others. You should also visit those who are sick only if necessary!

Prevention of H1N1 flu

Education

The development and implementation of a training program for staff and volunteers regarding communicable disease control, including specific information on how to recognize and report possible cases of H1N1 flu is recommended.

The provision of relevant age appropriate educational materials and information for scholars and their parents is recommended.

Physical Layout/Supplies

Hand hygiene supplies (plain soap and running water and/or alcohol-based hand rub with 60-90% alcohol) located at multiple sites around the camp, in particular the common areas where campers congregate, will facilitate the 'practice hand hygiene' recommendations.

For non-ill campers overnight camps should consider sleeping arrangements that would maximize the distance between beds. Beds should be placed a minimum distance of 1 meter apart and/ or place campers sleeping head to foot to maximize separation.

A designated health center or isolation area with supplies such as surgical masks and disinfectants would allow an area where sick individuals could be isolated and those looking after the ill could better implement infection prevention and control measures.

Environmental Cleaning

Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces that are commonly touched by multiple persons, surfaces such as doorknobs, faucet handles, toys and shared flashlights, will help to prevent the transmission of viruses from person to person through contaminated hands.

It is recommended that high touch surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected at least twice daily.

Hand Hygiene and Cough Etiquette

Hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes are the most important means of prevention of transmission of influenza.

Hands spread an estimated 80 percent of common infectious diseases like the common cold and flu. For example, when you touch a doorknob that has the flu virus on it and then touch your mouth, you can get sick. But these disease-causing germs slide off easily with good hand washing technique.

When should I wash my hands?

Wash your hands several times a day with disinfectants soap and warm water, especially:

before meals
before feeding children, including breastfeeding
before and after preparing food
after using the toilet
after changing diapers or helping a child use the toilet
after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
after playing with shared toys
before and after visiting with people who are sick
after handling animals or their waste.

What are germs and are they all bad?

The word germs is a general term for different types of tiny organisms. Bacteria and viruses are examples of two different types of germs. Bacteria are virtually everywhere in our environment and make up 60 per cent of the living matter on earth. Of the billions of types of bacteria only about 50 are known to cause infection.

Viruses cause far more illnesses than bad bacteria because they spread more easily. If more than one person in your family has the same sickness, odds are it is a viral infection. Cold and flu viruses invade our cells and rapidly grow in number causing symptoms like runny nose, cough, aches and sore throats.

Where do germs live?

If you had to pick the place in your house with the most disease-causing germs, what would you choose? Many of us automatically think of the bathroom toilet seat or bathroom floor. But you may be surprised to learn that the kitchen is the biggest hot-zone for disease-causing germs. Top prize goes to the kitchen sink, followed by the dishrag or sponge.

Germs can live for a surprisingly long time on hard surfaces like desks, doorknobs and tables. Most people get sick when they touch something that is contaminated with germs and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. The easiest way to reduce your chance of getting sick is to wash your hands often with regular soap and water and avoid touching your face.

What about alcohol-based hand cleansers?

Both alcohol-based hand sanitizers and disinfectant soap and water have a place in prevention of infections. You should use an alcohol sanitizer when you are out and not able to wash your hands-for example, at the mall or after riding public transit. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don't contain antibiotics. Keep in mind that they don't work well if you have a lot of dirt and grease on your hands.

How to wash your hands - 7 tips

Remove all rings and wet your hands with warm running water.

Put a small amount of liquid soap in the palm of one hand. Bar soaps are not as hygienic as liquid soaps because they stay moist and attract germs.
If a bar soap is the only option it should be stored on a rack so that the bar doesn't sit in water.

Rub your hands together for 20 seconds so you produce lather. Make sure you scrub between your fingers, under your fingernails and the backs of your hands.

Rinse your hands well with clean running water for at least 10 seconds. Try not to handle the faucets once your hands are clean. Use a paper towel to turn off the water.

Dry your hands with a single use paper towel. If you use a hand towel be sure to change it daily. During cold and flu season you may want to give each family member his or her own hand towel.

Use hand lotion to put moisture back into your skin if your hands are dry.