Employer Prevention Tips—

Businesses Can Play An Important Role In Preventing H1N1 Spread

By John Voket

According to medical professionals including Newtown’s Health District Director, Donna Culbert, the H1N1 virus or “Swine Flu” isn’t any more deadly than a seasonal flu, but it is transmitted more easily. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reports that 36,000 people die and another 200,000 are hospitalized every year from seasonal flu.

But Ms Culbert says that the 2009 H1N1 (Swine) Flu presents some distinct challenges. 

“It is a flu similar to the seasonal one we all know with a few distinct differences,” Ms Culbert told The Newtown Bee this week. “One difference is that it is a new virus so there is little, if any, immunity – which leaves everyone vulnerable to contracting it. It also appears to more severely affect young people in comparison to the elderly. There are larger numbers of children and younger adults being affected by the flu, being sickened, being hospitalized, and sometimes dying.”

That being said, Ms Culbert believes “the challenge is to keep our residents healthy.” 

“We need to prevent contracting the flu first, and then staying home if afflicted, to recover fully and to prevent the spread of the disease,” she said. “And we need to follow our doctors’ directions, if they prescribe medication in addition to staying home with rest and fluids.

The local Health District is encouraging residents to get their seasonal flu shot now, to start protection from seasonal flu. And when it becomes available, H1N1 vaccination will also be encouraged.  Again, there will be another challenge. 

Vaccine will be arriving, initially, in limited quantity and so there is a priority list for those folks who should receive H1N1 Flu vaccine first. The priority H1N1 Vaccine recipients are:

* Pregnant women

* Household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months old

* Health care and emergency personnel

* Young children and adults aged 6 months to 24 years of age

* Persons aged 35 though 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

There has even been the establishment of priority for a subset of persons within the initial target groups above for the initial limited amount of vaccine.

The sub-priority is assigned to health care and emergency personnel “who have direct patient contact” and Young children and adults “6 months through 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.” 

“It is important to note that it is expected that there will be a sufficient supply of H1N1 vaccine in the coming weeks and months and ultimately everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be,” Ms Culbert said.

She added that the Health District is working closely with the state Department of Public Health, the health care providers in our area, the hospitals, the Visiting Nurses Associations and the schools to monitor the occurrence of the Flu in our community; to educate residents on how they can protect themselves and to obtain a vaccination when they are available.

“Right now, only seasonal flu vaccine is available – and there are many clinics,” Ms Culbert said. “The Health District encourages residents to get their seasonal flu shot as soon as is reasonably possible. And once H1N1 Vaccine is available, information will be publicized about where and when to get vaccinated.”

The Connecticut Better Business Bureau is also joining the chorus of organizations trying to prevent the unnecessary spread of H1N1. Spokesman Howard Schwartz said this week the BBB is promoting simple workplace precautions can easily prevent the spread of both the H1N1 and seasonal influenza viruses.

“The flu virus spreads quickly in any place where people congregate, and the workplace is particularly prone because we spend so much time in close contact with other people during the day,” said Mr Schwartz in an October 6 release. “The good news is that employers can help prevent many cases of influenza.” 

Connecticut Better Business Bureau offers the following advice to business owners on how to prepare for the flu season and a potential H1N1 outbreak:

*Encourage employees who are feeling sick to stay home. The CDC strongly recommends that employees who have flu-like symptoms should stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever to reduce the risk of spreading viruses to other employees.

*Employers can encourage workers to stay home by allowing flexible leave or alternate work schedules to facilitate employees taking care of their own health and that of their families. CDC also recommends not requiring a doctor’s note for employees with flu-like symptoms.

*Remind employees of habits for good hygiene. Good hygiene will greatly help prevent the spread of germs and viruses throughout the office.

*CDC encourages employers to offer education on hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes in an easy-to-understand format and in appropriate languages. Also consider providing hand sanitizer, no-touch trash cans, and tissues.

*The CDC also recommends that employers encourage staff to get vaccinated for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus.

 *Prepare a business continuation plan.

A business continuation plan would help direct employees and management on steps to take if key leadership becomes sick or if a major catastrophe temporarily prevents business operations.

Because large numbers of staff could contract the flu, employers should ensure the business can continue operating by training other employees to step in if key staff should become ill.

The Better Business Bureau has posted information on developing a business continuation plan at bbb.org/us/article/972. For even more advice on preparing your business for the flu season, visit the CDC’s website, www.flu.gov.