H1N1 Update to Faculty & Staff
We are now well into the new school year and I want to take the opportunity to provide you with our latest update with respect to H1N1. I also want to provide information about what you can continue to do to protect yourself and your family. This information was provided to us by the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care.
This fall and winter, there may be two types of flu viruses circulating – the seasonal flu and H1N1. In Ontario, the majority of cases of this new flu strain have been in healthy young adults and most cases have been mild. Younger children are at risk of infection, possibly because they don’t wash their hands consistently or use proper etiquette when sneezing/coughing.
Symptoms of H1N1 are similar to seasonal flu, including headache, chills and cough followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur in adults as well as in children. In more severe cases, or in people with chronic conditions, complications such as pneumonia may develop.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board continues to work closely with our regional health authorities (Peel Health and the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Health Unit), as well as the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and based on the advice of these authorities, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of H1N1 in our schools and work places. Some of these steps include:
„ Making staff, students and parents aware of the symptoms of H1N1, and encouraging them to stay home when ill,
„ Continue to consult with the above authorities on infection prevention and control;
„ Ensuring soap and water is available for hand washing, as well as placing alcohol-based hand sanitizer (used under adult supervision) in areas where hand washing is not available; and,
„ Frequently cleaning commonly touched surfaces/items.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care advises everyone to take an active role in protecting themselves from H1N1. Here are a few things you can do:
§ Teach children to wash their hands with soap and water thoroughly and often.
§ Keep alcohol-based sanitizer (gel or wipes) handy at work and in your car. Note that alcohol-based sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective.
§ Teach children not to share personal items like pens, pencils, drinks, or food.
§ Teach children to cough or sneeze into their sleeve or a tissue, not their hand. This includes teaching them to dispose of tissues in the garbage immediately.
§ Keep sick children at home until they are feeling well and are able to fully participate in all normal day-to-day activities.
For more information on H1N1, see the following Q & A (targeted to schools but is relevant to all), contact Peel Public Health 905-799-7700 or www.peelregion.ca, Wellington Dufferin Guelph Health Unit at
1-800-265-7293 or www.wdghu.org, or visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s website at www.ontario.ca/flu.
We will continue to keep you updated as we work together to prevent the spread of H1N1.
John B. Kostoff
Director of Education
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
H1N1 Influenza & Schools
This fact sheet provides basic information only. It must not take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to a health care professional about any health concerns you have, and before you make any changes to your diet, lifestyle or treatment.
What is H1N1 influenza?
The H1N1 flu virus is a new strain of influenza that causes the same symptoms as seasonal flu.
What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 influenza?
The sign and symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to seasonal flu and include respiratory symptoms with fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, joint pain, or weakness. In children under 5, gastrointestinal symptoms may also be present and fever may not be prominent.
How does H1N1 influenza spread?
Spread of the H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Sometimes people may become infected by touching objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with the flu virus and then touching their mouth or nose.
Why are people concerned about this particular virus?
H1N1 is a new influenza virus, which means that we cannot be certain about how it will behave.
There is also concern because H1N1 is infecting children and young adults at a greater rate than the seasonal flu that occurs every year. A very small number of the young and healthy who become infected get very ill quite rapidly.
Why should we be concerned about the spread of H1N1 in schools?
Students can get sick with influenza and schools may act as a point of spread since students are in close contact and can easily spread the virus to other students and family members. In Ontario, people between 5 and 24 years of age comprise a larger proportion of cases compared to other age groups.
Which students, staff, and volunteers are at higher risk for complications from H1N1?
Everyone is at risk of getting H1N1 (even healthy people) and serious problems from H1N1 can happen at any age. However, pregnant women and people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, neuromuscular disorders, or heart disease) are more likely to have complications from H1N1.
What can students, staff, and volunteers do to stay healthy?
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Wash your hands with soap and warm running water for at least 15 seconds or, if water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Note that alcohol-based sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective and that only a small volume is necessary for each application (1 to 2 ml).
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Cough and sneeze into a tissue or, if a tissue is not available, your sleeve - and not into your hands. Dispose of tissues immediately and follow-up with hand washing, using soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
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Keep commonly touched surfaces and items clean and disinfected.
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Don’t share personal items such as eating utensils or drinks.
What should students, staff and volunteers do if they become ill?
Students, staff, and volunteers who become ill should be encouraged to stay home until they are feeling well and are able to fully participate in all normal day-to-day activities.
Call your health care provider, local public health unit, or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 if you experience flu symptoms and you:
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are pregnant; have heart or lung disease;
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have chronic health problems that require regular medical attention;
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are elderly or frail;
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have an illness or are receiving treatments – for example, for diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS – that might affect your immune system; or,
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you think you may need medical attention