Planning Ahead for H1N1...

Now that the kids are back in school many people are worried that the

H1N1 swine flu will spread even further than it already has. The virus has already defied public-health officials' predictions of a lull in the warm summer months. More than two million people are believed to have contracted the new flu in the U.S. and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of August 13th, 7,511 people have been hospitalized and 477 have died.

So how worried should you be?

The Health and Human Services Secretary says "what we are seeing looks very much like seasonal flu so far."  Most people suffer fever, body aches, sore throat and runny nose. Vomiting and diarrhea have been reported in about 50% of nonhospitalized patients with the virus. One thing that is different from the seasonal flu is that young people are getting sick, while the elderly, who normally account for 90% of annual deaths from flu do not seem as receptive to it. The CDC officials think this may be due to people 60 and older having some sort of immunity to the new virus from exposure to H1N1 viruses that circulated between 1918 and 1957.

The disease is being monitored closely and there are already a few good signs.  For one thing, the new H1N1 virus lacks gene sequences that made the 1918 flu virus so deadly and it hasn't mutated into a more-virulent form despite its rapid spread.  The groups most at risk are pregnant women and people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases.  A vaccine is currently being developed which public health officials say is the best defense against the new flu. However, you may have to wait until well into flu season to get one. The first 45 million doses are expected to be ready by mid-October. The shots are set to be recommended first for those at highest risk of complications, as well as health-care workers and close contacts of infants.

At Champion we are doing everything possible to keep all of our employees healthy.  We will be providing tissues, sanitizing wipes, disinfecting sprays and hand sanitizer for each office.  We are also asking that all employees also do the following to keep their fellow employees safe and to keep Champion H1N1 free...

 

1. Stay home if you are sick. If you have symptoms of influenza-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities (your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

2. Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.

3. Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with novel H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, notify their supervisor and stay home if they become ill. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.

4. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

5. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.

6. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers* can be used if soap and water are not available.

7. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

8. Avoid close contact with sick people. If an employee suspects that they have been exposed to a sick person with novel H1N1 influenza they may continue to go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day and should notify their supervisor and stay home if they become ill.

9. Frequently wipe down work areas, light switches, door handles, phone receivers, and touched objects with sanitizing wipes.


 1. Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

FROM THE CDC

In addition, The Georgia Department of Public Health is recommending everyone do the following:

2. Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand sanitizers and other essential supplies.

3. Stay informed. The most up-to-date information about H1N1 influenza can be found on the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

We hope this information is helpful to others in the community so that we can all stay healthy this flu season.