influenza pandemic

The Director of the Environmental Health and Safety Office at Dalhousie has issued the following concerning H1N1 influenza A:

The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued a travel warning recommending the postponement of any non-essential travel to Mexico. Travellers from Mexico are being screened for illness.

Since there is the possibility that human swine influenza may present a significant health issue for our community, the University recommends the following common sense precautions for our faculty, staff and students.

Individuals who have recently traveled to Mexico and/or are exhibiting influenza-like symptoms should seek medical assistance.
Individuals are encouraged to take everyday preventive actions. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners and sanitizers are also effective. See the recommended handwashing technique
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Avoid close contact with anyone who appears sick.
If you become ill, stay home from work or school, and limit contact with others.

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further updates as the situation develops.

For more information on the human swine influenza outbreak, now at “pandemic level 5”, visit the Kellogg Library’s Infections Diseases Libguide. Here you’ll find maps, twitter and news feeds and more.

Regularly updated links to further information on this issue include:

The Canadian Medical Association has posted two new guidelines:

Archives for influenza pandemic