Influenza A (H1N1) Update
30 April 2009
The City's primary role as it relates to the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak is to support health authorities in keeping the public informed. Currently, there has been no impact on City services. However, if the situation escalates, the City has a draft Pandemic Response Plan that will serve as a sound template in managing its response and maintaining essential services while protecting the health the City’s workforce and community.
The World Health Organization raised the current level of Influenza A (H1N1)pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5 on Wednesday, April 29, advising all countries to immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans. At this stage, effective and essential measures include heightened surveillance, early detection, treatment of cases, and infection control in all health facilities.
As with any infectious disease, the following are recommended standard precautionary measures:
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often throughout the day, for at least 20 seconds each time, with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and before eating. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Coughing and sneezing particles travel up to six feet, so try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick, stay home until you feel well enough to work a whole day/shift and limit contact with others to prevent infecting them.
- Ensure you have a home emergency plan that includes having food, supplies and a personal support network at home should you become ill and must stay at home.
For complete and current information on the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak visit Vancouver Coastal Health at http://www.vch.ca/ or the Public Health Agency of Canada at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php.
