H1N1 Flu - Personal Preparedness Advice

Please open the PDF. documents below to obtain information and guidance on how you and your family can prepare at home for the upcoming flu season...

PHAC_-_Your_H1N1_Preparedness_Guide.pdf

Preparedness_kit.pdf

A Report by Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health

Below are excerpts from The H1N1 Flu in Ontario: A Report by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (September 2009).  To read the entire report, please go to: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ccom/flu/h1n1/pro/docs/oh9100_report.pdf

"The most important thing to remember about the H1N1 flu virus is that it is just another strain of influenza.  And while the flu is never to be taken lightly, people should not live in fear of it either.  Nine thousand cases of seasonal flu occur every year on average in Ontario.  Approximately 300 people die, either directly from the flu or from the virus complicating existing chronic conditions.  That represents a population-based mortality rate of 3.3 per 100,000.  The mortality rate due to the H1N1 flu as of August 25 stands at 0.18 deaths per 100,000 people.

Looking Ahead
Our experience with the H1N1 flu to date, particularly in the southern hemisphere, justifies a certain degree of confidence that we will not be overwhelmed.  Influenza can be serious, but we are well prepared to cope.  However, in public health as in so much else in life, it pays to hope for the best and plan for worse.  And the truth is, nobody knows for certain what the coming influenza season will bring in Ontario, in Canada, or in the rest of the northern hemisphere.

Will there be several types of flu, both H1N1 flu and seasonal flu?
Possibly, or we may just see the H1N1 flu.

Will there be more flu activity than normal?
Probably, but not certainly.  What is most important for the general public to know is that in one form or another, we will see influenza in Ontario this coming fall and winter. Knowing the type of virus is not as important for people as being aware of how to protect themselves, their families and their communities.

We are assuming that the flu season will be worse than usual, and that consequently there will be a higher demand than usual for both primary and hospital care.

Employers should not be surprised if there is a higher degree of absenteeism. After all, if people are sick, we want them to stay home.

Historically, pandemics have lasted 12 to 18 months so we must expect – and plan for – another wave of activity in our communities this fall or winter.  This is particularly important because we will be entering our usual flu season in Ontario.

At the end of the day, Ontarians should know that the H1N1 flu is just another variety of the flu, and that they need to know how to protect themselves, their families and their communities from getting sick. Basic common sense behaviours along with immunization (against seasonal and H1N1 flu) and a health system leadership that is aware, committed, coordinated and prepared will get us through this."

Pandemic - H1N1 (Human Swine) Influenza

On June 11th, 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the H1N1 influenza outbreak to be pandemic.  The last declared pandemic was caused by the Hong Kong Flu of 1968 / 1969.

It is extremely important to understand that the H1N1 Flu has been declared a pandemic because the virus has spread across the globe - the declaration does not relate to the severity of the virus.

Most cases of H1N1 in Canada have been described as mild, with people recovering at home.  Medical complications have however occurred in patients with underlying health conditions.

WHO spokesperson Gregory Hartl told Reuters Television, "Phase 6 (declaration of a pandemic)…, doesn't mean anything concerning severity, it is concerning geographic spread… Pandemic means global, but it doesn't have any connotation of severity or mildness".

Hartl went on to say, "In fact, what we are seeing with this virus so far is overwhelmingly to date, mild disease. So we would think that this event is really a moderate event for the time being, because the numbers are high but the disease is overwhelmingly mild".

The County of Lambton has a Pandemic Influenza Plan which can be viewed on the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department website.  The Lambton County Pandemic Plan sets out the local response to a severe pandemic.  Given that H1N1 has not caused the level of illness or disruption that a more severe pandemic could, the County Pandemic Plan has not been activated in its entirety.  Local officials continue to monitor the current situation, ready to modify the local response as necessary.

The County of Lambton and the Community Health Services Department are committed to sharing information with local residents regarding H1N1 influenza, and promoting ways people can remain healthy.

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Symptoms of H1N1 Influenza:  Symptoms of H1N1 Flu are similar to seasonal flu and include headache, chills and cough followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur in adults as well as in children. In more severe cases complications such as pneumonia may develop.

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Personal Protection:  People can take routine precautions to protect themselves from flu viruses:

• Wash your hands often or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or tissue rather than your hands.  Avoid touching your mouth and eyes.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Avoid visiting hospitals or long-term care Homes, if you are unwell.  

CHSD_Handwashing_Poster.pdf

Cough_poster.pdf

Use_of_Hand_Sanitizers.pdf

To Obtain Further Information…

• People who have symptoms of respiratory illness should contact their health care provider by phone or call TeleHealth Ontario at: 1-866-797-0000
• For general information on H1N1 flu, call the ServiceOntario INFOline at: 1-800-476-9708

Information can also be found online at the following websites:

• Community Health Services Department
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Cough and Sneeze Etiquette
• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

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More answers to questions about H1N1 Flu…

Source:  Public Health Agency of Canada (with revisions)

Does the Government of Canada recommend the closing of schools, and other gathering places to limit the spread of the virus?
In Canada, decisions about school closures are made locally. PHAC does not recommend school closures to contain the spread of the virus.

PHAC recommends that people who are sick stay at home to reduce the risk of spreading infection. If this influenza virus spreads, people may want to avoid crowds to decrease the chance of exposure.

Should Canadians take any extra measures like wearing surgical masks to avoid catching H1N1 Flu Virus?
Canadians should continue to take normal precautions to protect themselves as they would from a regular flu. While we are investigating to learn more about how this virus spreads, our best advice is for Canadians to wash their hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when ill.

The Public Health Agency of Canada does not recommend that members of the general public wear surgical masks to protect against contracting H1N1 Flu Virus . Evidence shows that this is not effective in preventing transmission of influenza in the general public. People often use masks incorrectly, or contaminate themselves when putting masks on and taking them off, which could actually increase the risk of infection.

The exception is people who are ill with H1N1 Flu Virus or people who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms. In order to protect those in close contact, like doctors, nurses, and caregivers at home, these people may be asked to wear a face mask.

Are all cases of H1N1 Flu Virus severe?
No. The majority of Canadian cases of H1N1 flu virus have experienced mild illness and have recovered at home. Overall, the WHO is describing this pandemic as moderate.

Should people be avoiding exposure to pigs?
Influenza viruses can be transmitted from pigs to people and vice versa via coughes and sneezes, but there are not many documented cases of this actually happening.  This H1N1 Flu Virus is spreading between humans – not directly from pigs to people.  As a result, there is no risk from proximity to healthy pigs.

Because humans can also spread the disease to pigs, individuals with influenza symptoms should avoid close contact with pigs to reduce the risk of introducing a new influenza virus into domestic swine populations.

Government officials are conducting investigations to find out more about how this particular strain of H1N1 Flu Virus spreads.

Can I catch swine influenza from eating pork?
No.  H1N1 Flu Virus is not transmitted through pork meat. Continue to follow proper handling and cooking procedures to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

If I get sick with H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu) once, does that give me immunity or can I get infected with it again?
Typically, when a person is infected with an influenza virus and recovers, they develop antibodies that provide them with immunity to that particular virus. However, this is a new virus, and we continue to work with international partners to learn more about how it affects people and how it spreads.

How long does the virus live outside of the body?
The H1N1 flu virus can live outside the body on hard surfaces, such as stainless steel and plastic, for 24-48 hours and on soft surfaces, such as cloth, paper, and tissues for less than 8-12 hours; however, it can only infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on hard surfaces, and for up to a few minutes after being deposited on soft surfaces.