SWINE FLU: PRECAUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Update & Recommendations:  Swine Flu Outbreak (April 30, 2009)*

 

Swine Flu Update

As you may already know, human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in several states and in other countries, primarily Mexico.  So far in the U.S., 109  cases have been identified, and one  death has been reported.  In Mexico, according to current data from the WHO (World Health Organization), 26 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported with 7 deaths.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), this influenza virus had previously been transmitted among swine, with no human-to-human transmission.  However, the virus has mutated, and human-to-human transmission of the virus is now occurring and appears to be spreading, representing the threat of a pandemic. In fact, the WHO  has upgraded the threat to a phase 5 level, which is a “strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.”  With this in mind, it becomes prudent for churches and communities to take precautionary measures to protect people and take advantage of a narrow window of opportunity for intervention, hence the following recommendations:

 

General Recommendations

(1)    If you’re sick or have symptoms that resemble the flu, stay home!  Anyone who develops fever with either cough or sore throat should be strongly encouraged to stay at home for seven days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after symptoms subside, whichever is longer. Persons who experience these symptoms and wish to seek medical care should contact their health care providers to report illness before seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. However, anyone who has difficult breathing or shortness of breath or who is believed to be seriously ill should seek immediate medical attention.

 

(2)    When possible, avoid contact with crowds not only to protect yourself from becoming ill, but also to protect others if you’re unknowingly incubating the virus.  This is especially important if your immune system is compromised.

 

(3)     Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if you’re coughing or sneezing.

 

(4)    Wash your hands often!  Use either soap or one of the readily available hand sanitizers to help protect you from viruses and other microbes.  (Hand sanitizers are inexpensive and readily available in drugstores or supermarkets.)  Hand washing is the single most effective way of preventing the spread of not only the flu virus, but also other infectious agents.

 

(5)    Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.  Microbes are readily spread when one touches something that’s contaminated and then touches one’s eyes, nose, or mouth.

 

(6)    Practice good health habits.  Get plenty of sleep, get exercise, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.  In other words, good health habits can build up your resistance to germs.

 

Recommendations/considerations for churches

            Have hand sanitizers readily available (credence table, narthex, parish halls, etc.).

If you’re taking communion to someone in the hospital, care facility, etc., be sure to use these sanitizers.

Consider receiving communion in one kind only (that is, receiving only the host), instead of  drinking directly from the chalice.

            Post signs in restrooms and other public areas reminding people to practice good hygiene.

            Have qualified people available for question-and-answer sessions.

For the time being, refrain from shaking hands during the Peace because microbes are most easily passed from person to person by touching.

 

Diocesan Emergency Preparedness Committee

 

 

*Adapted from CDC guidelines (www.cdc.gov/swineflu/).

Comments

[H1N1 Flu Map]

Thanks for the info.. a nicely balanced writeup of realism, yet not creating excess panic.

[mscottsail]

Episcopal Relief and Development has an excellent page with mutliple links on this topic, including some materials developed by our Canadian siblings for the SARS epidemic. There are also materials available from ELCA and from other Episcopal sources.