Pandemic Flu: Swine Influenza.

1. How is it spread ?

• Large droplets from coughing and/or sneezing by aninfected person within a short distance (usually 1 metre orless)

• of someone touching or shaking the hand of an infectedperson and then touching your mouth, eyes or nosewithout first washing your hands

• touching surfaces or objects (eg door handles) that havebecome contaminated with the flu virus and then touchingyour mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands.

2. Most significant symptoms:

• fever

• cough or shortness of breath.

3. Other symptoms may include:

• headache
• tiredness
• chills
• aching muscles
• sore throat
• runny nose
• sneezing
• loss of appetite.

4. The incubation period

1 to 4 days, though for most people it will be two to three days

5. The infectious period

People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms. They can continue to spread the virus, for example in coughs and sneezes, for up to five days (seven days in children). People become less infectious as their symptoms subside, and once symptoms are gone,they are considered no longer infectious to others.

6. Prudent Practice :

A) Where social interactions and attendance areunavoidable, considerations might be given toasking the individual with symptoms consistent toFlu to adopt practices that reduce the risk ofinfecting others

B) individuals with signs of flu or cough should beencouraged to wear face masks

Last but not least , as a precaution, if your organization had staff who travelled to Mexico in the last 2 (two) weeks, and more recently US, your co-operation is appreciated in informing the relevant authority. This is to ensure that relevant authority can respond promptly and appropriately, thereby reducing the risk of healthy /susceptible people succumbing or being infected by the flu virus.