H1N1 101

The facts
Even an influenza event with a low percentage of lethality can cause a large number of deaths if it infects vast areas of the population that have little immunity over time.

Influenza is transmitted from person to person when germs enter the body via the mucosal linings of the eyes, nose and mouth. Coughs and sneezes release germs into the air, where they can be inhaled by others. Germs can also rest on hard surfaces like counters and doorknobs, where they can enter the body when someone touches his or her mouth or nose.

The H1N1 virus can live outside the body on hard surfaces (such as stainless steel and plastic) for 24 to 48 hours and on soft surfaces (such as cloth, paper and tissues) for eight to 12 hours or less. It can infect a person for up to two to eight hours after being deposited on hard surfaces, and only for up to a few minutes after being deposited on soft surfaces.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the pandemic alert level to Phase 6, the Pandemic Phase. To date, the total number of deaths due to virus in Canada stands at 357, the majority occurring in Ontario and Quebec. A vaccine is now available to the general public.

What employers can do
According to a report by the U.S. Conference Board, Key Questions in Pandemic Planning, the three main areas of activity where infection control steps must be taken are planning for business, planning to protect people and establishing policies.

Specifically, effective infection control measures include:

• hand hygiene;
• covering coughs and sneezes;
• isolation of sick people;
• voluntary home quarantine;
• environmental cleaning; and
• social distancing measures, including the cancellation of mass gatherings, alternatives to face-to-face contact at work and increasing the physical distance between people.

Recommendations to employers include the following:

• Encourage employees to cover coughs and sneezes. Work to develop a culture that supports this practice. This will provide benefits toward preventing the spread of flus and other respiratory illnesses.
• Use restrooms to post information that encourages proper hand-washing technique.
• Provide information and make tissues, hand sanitizer and other appropriate materials (i.e., for tissue disposal) available.

Jody White is associate editor of benefitscanada.com.

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