H1N1 "Swine Flu" Briefing
- 1. H1N1 “Swine Flu” Briefing MCUA – Springfield Chapter Meeting October 30, 2009 Educate
- 2. Evaluate
- 3. Communicate
- 4. Eradicate
- 5. Vaccinate
- 6. Isolate
- 7. Don't Hesitate Preparing your CU Staff Presentation Prepared By: Brent Davis Compliance/Internal Audit Officer Postal Federal Community Credit Union
- 8. EDUCATE What is H1N1 (Swine) Flu? H1N1 (Swine) flu is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia, plus avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.
- 9. H1N1 (Swine) flu is contagious. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The virus is spreading from person-to-person , in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.
- 10. H1N1 (Swine) flu is NOT caused by eating pork or pork products. H1N1 flu is not a foodborne disease, it is a respiratory disease. The USDA continues to remind consumers that all meat and poultry products are safe to eat when properly prepared and cooked.
- 11. Illness with the new H1N1 (Swine) flu virus has ranged from mild to severe. While the vast majority of people who have contracted H1N1 (Swine) flu have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred.
- 12. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with H1N1 (Swine) flu have had one or more medical conditions that placed them in the “high risk” category for serious seasonal flu-related complications. These include pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
- 13. Unlike the seasonal flu virus, adults older than 64 do not yet appear to be at increased risk of H1N1 (Swine) flu-related complications. CDC laboratory studies have shown that about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is unknown how much protection may be afforded against H1N1 (Swine) flu by an existing antibody . Source: www.flu.gov
- 14. EVALUATE Global/National The WHO has declared Phase 6, making the novel H1N1 virus outbreak a pandemic virus. Do you agree with their decision, and if so, what does that mean for this country? “ The President and the Administration are actively engaged in preparing for epidemics of H1N1 virus...Regardless of what WHO calls or labels this, we are taking necessary and aggressive measures to protect public health..Here in the United States, the virus has been spreading steadily from person-to-person since April, so WHO’s change to Phase 6 pandemic does not really change what we are already doing here in the U.S. to respond.” Source: www.flu.gov Missouri & Greene County Missouri is part of the CDC’s Region 7. The current status for region 7 is “Elevated” meaning the percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness is at or above the national or region-specific baseline as of October 10 th . Source: www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ The CDC estimates that Influenza Activity in Missouri is “Widespread” in nature as of October 17 th, which is the highest category of monitoring . Source: Missouri Weekly Influenza Report Greene County has reported 161 confirmed cases of influenza from October 4-17, 2009. “ The number of reported influenza cases for week 41 of the 2009-2010 season are significantly higher than the previous 4 influenza seasons.” Source: Influenza: Season Count, Missouri by County Map
- 15. COMMUNICATE With your staff
- 16. See Communication Toolkit from flu.gov
- 18. Website
- 19. Email
- 20. Signage
- 21. ERADICATE Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, exercise, and relaxation.
- 22. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available. Be sure to wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- 23. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Germs spread this way.
- 24. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue , or cough and sneeze into your elbow. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles.
- 25. Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, computer keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
- 26. Do not use other workers' phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. If you need to use a co-worker's phone, desk, or other equipment, clean it first.
- 27. Don't spread the flu! If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home . Symptoms of flu include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. CDC recommends that sick workers stay home if they are sick with flu-like illness until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
- 28. Get vaccinated against seasonal flu, when vaccine is available in your area. If you are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications you should receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm . Source: 8 Ways You Can Stay Healthy at Work
- 29. VACCINATE CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza.
- 30. While there are many different flu viruses, the seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three seasonal viruses that research suggests will be most common.
- 31. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
- 32. Seasonal flu vaccine also is important for health care workers, and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from making them sick.
- 33. A seasonal vaccine will not protect you against 2009 H1N1.
- 34. A ··new vaccine against 2009 H1N1 is being made.
- 35. People at greatest risk for 2009 H1N1 infection include children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease.
- 36. Ask your doctor if you should get a 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Source: CDC Says "Take 3" Actions To Fight The Flu
- 37. ISOLATE Monitor employee absenteeism.
- 38. Close lobby(s), restrict to drive-up, ATM, phone, internet.
- 39. Consider a work from home option. Who?
- 40. Technology? Consider a revised sick leave policy.
- 41. Don't HESITATE! SUMMARY Perform a risk assessment.
- 44. Have a plan for being understaffed
- 45. Communicate with staff & members Resources: www.flu.gov www.fighttheflumo.com