Pandemic Pandemic Influenza Influenza AwarenessAwarenessH1N1H1N1

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What is the H1N1 Influenza Virus?

New Strain of Influenza Virus First Detected on April 18, 2009 in Mexico Originally Called “Swine Flu” Initial Tests Showed Many Genes Similar to

Influenza Virus the Occurs in Pigs Further Studies - New Virus is Very Different

from Viruses in North American Pigs

1918 Pandemic Flu (Spanish Flu)

1918 Influenza Flu Outbreak Estimated 70 to 100 Million Deaths Worldwide

First Wave – Beginning March 1918 Mild Seasonal Flu Virus

Second Deadly Wave – Summer/Fall of 1918 Virus Mutated to a More Deadly Strain Majority of the Fatalities – In the Second Wave

Primarily in the 20 to 40 Year Old Age Range

Speculation that the current H1N1 Outbreak May Return in the Fall Need to Prepare

Influenza Pandemic 1918 at Camp Funston(Kansas)

Influenza Pandemic, 1918

Wilfrid Laurier University Pandemic Flu Response Activated its Pandemic Response Plan Each Campus has:

Developed a Pandemic Response Plan Departmental Business Continuity Plans Conducted a Pandemic Flu Table Top

Exercise Waterloo Health Unit – One of the Primary

Resource our Local Community

Departmental Business Continuity Plans Continuity of Operations Planning template,

which focuses on the provision of essential services with up to 40% absenteeism at 2 week peak

Plans to meet the needs of people confined to their homes

Information on H1N1

Questions on H1N1 Influenza? For WLU Employees:

Send an e-mail to swinefluinfo@wlu.ca From Media or Other External Sources go to the

website: http://www.wlu.ca/pandemic Direct Periodic Health Alerts

Distributed as New Information Becomes Available

Laurier’s Pandemic Website

Preventive Measures at WLU

Wall Mounted Hand Sanitizer Units Near Elevator, Lobby Areas,

Entrances,Washrooms Redirected Custodians to Increase the Wiping

Down of Common Surfaces Door Handles, Bathrooms, Tables, Elevators,

etc. Redirected Physical Resources to Use only

disinfectant products

Preventive Measures Specific to Health Services

Patient screening per Health Unit recommendations

Annual flu clinics Campus education for staff and students

Spread of Infection

Infected Person Can Infect Others: Beginning 1 Day Before Symptoms

Develop Up to 7 Days or More After Becoming

Sick Younger Children – May Be Contagious

for Longer Periods

Routes of Exposure to Spread the Infection Primary Exposure Route – Person to Person

Inhalation of Airborne Droplets from Infected Person Coughing or Sneezing

Secondary Route of Exposure -Viruses on Surfaces Can Live on Surfaces for 2 Hours or More Person Touching Contaminated Tables,

Doorknobs, Desks, Then Touching Face, Eyes, Nose, or Mouth

Prevention Measures

Cough/Sneeze - Cover Nose/Mouth with Tissue or Sneeze into the Sleeve Dispose Used Tissues in the Trash

Wash Hand with Soap & Water (At Least 20 Seconds) or Use Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers

Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose, or Mouth Avoid Contact with Sick People

If Sick with a fever, Stay at Home Away from Work or School and Limit Contact with Others

Emergency Warning Symptoms Adults

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen Sudden dizziness Confusion Possible severe or persistent vomiting Possible diarrhea

Children Fast breathing or trouble breathing Bluish skin color Not drinking enough fluids Not waking up or not interacting Being so irritable that child does not want to be held Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse

cough Fever with a rash

In Summary

Best Precautions Stay Healthy & Get Plenty of Rest Wash Your Hands Frequently Avoid Contact with Persons Who Are Sick Social distancing (1 metre rule)

If Sick, Stay at Home, Away from Work/School The H1N1 Influenza Virus May Return in the Fall

Wilfrid Laurier University and All Employees Must Prepare for its Possible Return as a Mutated Virus

References

CDC, Pandemic Influenza Website: www.pandemicflu.gov

Waterloo Health Unit:http://chd.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/health.nsf/fmFrontPage?

OpenForm

Travel Information: http://voyage.gc.ca/

DHHS, The Great Pandemic: http://1918.pandemicflu.gov/index.htm

FEMA, Manual for National Incident Management System: http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/ICSResource

World Health Organization Pan Flu:www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/index.html

Questions