* Moose Factory H1N1 Updates & Information *

Update - Friday November 13, 2009

2009-11-13T12:28:00.000-08:00

Update on Community Pandemic Operations
Moose Factory
Issued By: Moose Factory Public Health Centre
Date: Friday, November 13, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Update: # 16

Surveillance:

The numbers for student absenteeism and patients treated at the WGH are
declining to a level that reflects normal school absenteeism and hospital
emergency department operations. Statistics show that the H1N1 Influenza
has ‘Peaked’ in our community and we appear to be on our way to recovery.
Based on this, the Community Emergency Pandemic Control Group has
cautiously downgraded our Pandemic Severity Level to: Category 1 - ‘Mild to
Moderate’ Please make note of the interventions maintained during this
stage in your CEPP.

We will continue to work with the schools and hospital to collect data for our
Pandemic Operations. In an effort to gauge and closely monitor the flu
situation in our community, we plan on surveying the employees that work
for various local organizations in our community. This survey is scheduled
for Wednesday November 18/09. Should our surveillance information
indicate an increase in Influenza –like Illnesses again, we may need to
upgrade our Pandemic status to the appropriate category.

Community Gatherings & Events:
In Category 1: Community events and gatherings are permitted under
certain conditions or interventions. The interventions include; screening
(sign in procedure) and monitoring. We encourage everyone to stay home
from the community events if you have flu like symptoms.

Medical experts are talking about a 3rd Wave of the H1 N1 Flu to show up
during the winter, we are not out of the woods yet.

The improved community flu statistics are a direct result of your safe health
prevention habits….keep up the excellent work.
Thank you and take care.

Pandemic Severity Level to: Category 1 - ‘Mild to Moderate’

2009-11-10T13:01:00.000-08:00

Update on Community Pandemic Operations
Moose Factory
Issued By: Moose Factory Public Health Centre
Date: Tuesday November 10, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Update: # 14

Severity Level for the Community Remains At: ‘Moderate to Severe’

Surveillance:

Local Flu Statistics (WGH, Schools, MCFN Staff): FOR ACCURATE STATISTICS PLEASE VISIT THE MOOSE CREE FIRST NATION WEBSITE.
The numbers for student absenteeism and patients treated at the WGH appear to be decreasing. Also, a quick survey of the MCFN staff indicates that the flu situation is improving in this area of the community. Again, although the numbers may indicate that our community is on its way to recovery, we CANNOT let our guards down yet.

Peak Period for the H1N1 Influenza:
Based on medical research, influenza patterns and when we received our 1st lab confirmed case of the H1N1 Virus on October 16/09, the H1N1 Influenza is predicted to be at it’s ‘Peak’ on Friday November 13/09.

H1N1 Flu Immunization Clinic: Approximately 1,100 (69%of our target) community members have now been vaccinated. H1N1 Immunizations Clinics are being held at the EPR Centre on;
■Tuesday November 10th 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
■Thursday November 12th 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Please call the Health Centre at 658 4220 to make an appointment so that we are prepared with the right amount of vaccine.

It has been 13 or 14 days since we started the vaccinations and we are seeing some positive results from the vaccine.

Community Gatherings & Events

The CEPCG have received many requests to continue with public gatherings. However, our main role is to assess the statistics and determine our position on the severity index. We are happy to see the decrease in ILI in our community but will wait until Friday Nov 13 to re-evaluate as we feel it is important to collect more data to reassure and confirm that our community pandemic is resolving. At this time we remain at a Moderate to Severe level which addresses public gatherings as follows: Permitting essential gatherings / events only and postpone / cancel all other public events.

All local gatherings or events that proceed this week are done so at the discretion and decision of the event organizers and facility management.

For the love and well-being of our family, especially our children, we all need to:
●Keep washing our hands frequently
●Cough and sneeze in to our sleeves or kleenex
●Sanitize our hands in public places,
●Stay home when you have flu-like symptoms
● Take your medication and vitamins as prescribed by your doctor.

The improved community flu statistics are a direct result of your safe health prevention habits….keep up the excellent work.

If you need to speak with the Public Health Centre staff during the weekday, please call the Pandemic Control Centre at 658 – 4100 or the Health Centre at 658 4220. For any other emergencies please call the Emergency Department at the Hospital.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and thoughts.

Take care.

UPDATE FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2009

2009-11-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COOPERATION!!!

Update on Community Pandemic Operations
Moose Factory

Issued By: Moose Factory Public Health Centre
Date: Friday, November 6, 2009
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Update: # 12

Confirmed H1N1 Cases: 22

Hospitalizations: 4 new for a total of 9

Patients Treated at WGH Emerg:7 new for a total of 85.

As directed by the provincial health authority, WGH has discontinued swabbing all patients with flu-like symptoms. WGH will only swab patients that are hospitalized. As a result, our reporting of confirmed cases has become outdated as everyone being treated with Tamiflu are considered positive. In partnership with WGH, we are in the process of revising this section so that our statistics will be more accurate. We hope to have this section revised and updated early next week.

Severity Level for the Community: ‘Moderate to Severe’

Local Schools: Ministik School reports 30% of their students have flu-like symptoms. DDECS reports 31% of their students with flu-like symptoms. MFACE reports 16% of their students with flu-like symptoms. This translates to an overall 29% of the student population with flu-like symptoms. The schools will be issuing public notices for their operations.

Community Flu Survey: We will survey the MCFN staff on Monday Nov 9 to get a sample of how much of our community is ill with flu-like symptoms. The survey results should provide our pandemic operations with some critical indicators. Depending on how this survey works, we hope to survey more of our community later next. More information will be provided early next week.

H1N1 Flu Immunization Clinic: Approximately 1080 (68% of our target) community members have now been vaccinated. The Public Health Centre and Moose Cree Education Authority will be developing a plan on how we can provide students attending school down south with the H1N1 vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine will continue to be available at the Health Centre. Public postings will be posted for future clinics.

If you need to speak with the Public Health Centre staff during the weekday, please call the Pandemic Control Centre at 658 – 4100 or the Health Centre at 658 4220. For any other emergencies please call the Emergency Department at the Hospital.

Thank you.

Update for Thursday, November 5, 2009

2009-11-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

Update on Community Pandemic Operations
Moose Factory
Issued By: Moose Factory Public Health Centre
Date: Thursday November 5, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m.

For
Nov 4/09
Total To date
(Accumulative)

Confirmed H1N1 Cases
0
22

Hospitalizations with Influenza Like Illness (ILI) Symptoms
0
5
▪ 3 have since recovered and discharged
▪ 2 remain in hospital, in stable condition and recovering

Patients Treated at WGH Emergency Department
7
77
The numbers for the above are provided and confirmed by Weeneebayko General Hospital.
Update: # 11

Severity Level for the Community: ‘Moderate to Severe’

Has the Flu ‘Peaked’ in our community yet? Through a survey of some sort, we need to find out how widespread the flu is within our community. As well, we need to determine if the flu has already peaked or should we expect the flu situation to get worse. Media reports say that the H1N1 Flu has not peaked yet and it is expected to peak within the next two weeks. We are developing a Community Flu Survey form for the above and we hope to conduct this survey soon. The information collected will be tabulated and used to guide our Community Pandemic Operations. For this important survey we ask for your support and cooperation by responding when the survey is conducted.

Local Schools: Reports provided by Ministik, DDECS & MFACE report a slight decrease of 10% for students with flu-like symptoms. The overall percentage of the student population with flu-like symptoms is now at 55-60%. The school staff will conduct another student survey on Friday Nov 6. All schools are closed for the reminder of this week and the school authorities continue to monitor the community flu situation.

H1N1 Flu Immunization Clinic: Our local population is approximately 2,450 and 1,030 community members or 42% of the community members have now been immunized. The Public Health Centre will operate the H1N1 Immunization Clinic on the following dates at the EPR Pandemic Control Centre:

- Thursday November 5/09: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Friday November 6/09: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

An Immunized Community: In an effort to establish a goal for an immunized community, we reviewed our population figures and took into account a number of reasons why some community members cannot or will not get immunized within the coming weeks. Some reasons for not getting immunized with the H1N1 vaccine include; medical reasons, age, pregnancy, school, and beliefs. Based on our review, our immunization program at this time is to immunize 66% or 1,600 community members. We need to immunize 570 or more community members to reach or surpass our goal.

When does the vaccine take effect? As reported in previous updates, the H1N1 vaccine takes approximately 10 -14 days to take effect. Vaccination clinics started on Oct 28, 29 30 & Nov 1; so, we are hoping to see more positive results in our community within the next week or two.

If you need to speak with the Public Health Centre staff, please call the Pandemic Control Centre at 658 – 4100 or the Health Centre at 658 4220. For any other emergencies please call the Emergency Department at the Hospital.

Thank you.

Update

2009-11-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

Update on Community Pandemic Operations
Moose Factory

Monday, November 2, 2009
Number of Confirmed Cases to Date: 22
Number of Influenza A Cases (unable to determine what type) 4

Severity Level for the Community: ‘Moderate to Severe’

H1N1 Flu Immunization Clinic: Approximately 920 community members have been immunized over the past 3 days (Wed, Thurs & Fri, Sat). The Public Health Centre will continue to provide the H1N1 immunization on the following dates at the EPR Pandemic Control Centre: Please call to make an appointment.

- Tuesday November 3/09: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday November 5/09: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Friday November 6/09: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Again, we strongly encourage everyone that can get the H1N1 vaccine to get their needle as soon as possible. The Vaccine along with health prevention practices is our best protection to control and contain the H1N1 Virus.

School Closures: Ministik and DDECS staff are continuing to monitor the students health (flu) situation and overall community flu situation.

Surveillance: Based on the surveillance information coming in, the flu continues to take its course throughout our homes and community. Our Public Health Centre has increased their surveillance by communicating with the confirmed cases, school officials, WGH and community members to establish a baseline on how the flu is behaving in our community. Clients that have been swabbed and been confirmed with
H1N1 are recovering however the trend seems to be that when one person in the home gets better, 1 or 2 other family member (s) contract the same virus. Normally, the vaccine takes 10 to 14 days to take effect and within the next week or two, we look forward to seeing noticeable health improvements throughout our community.

To operate an effective immunization clinic for our community we required approximately 25 staff for each clinic. When the call was made to the community for help with our clinics, we received a very good response. We take this opportunity to say “Thank You Very Much” to all those caring community members who responded to help our community during this difficult time.

If you need to speak with the Public Health Centre staff, please call the Pandemic Control Centre at 658 – 4100 OR the Health Centre at 658 4220. For any other emergencies please call the Emergency Department.

Take care.

Update for Thursday, October 29th

2009-10-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

Update on Community Pandemic Operations
Moose Factory

Issued By: Moose Factory Public Health Centre
Date: Thursday October 29, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Update: # 5

Number of Confirmed Cases to Date: 15
Pending(waiting for results from the lab): 29
Hospitalizations: 0
Severity Level for the Community: ‘Moderate to Severe’

School Closures:
Ministik: Wed Oct 28; Enrollment of 278, 179 absent [65%] - CLOSED
DDECS: Wed Oct 28; Enrollment of 188, 134 absent [74%] - CLOSED
MF Christian Academy: Wed Oct 28; Enrollment of 51, 10 absent [20%] – CLOSED
MCEA Daycare: Wed Oct 28; 50% absent - CLOSED

It is estimated that approximately 511 community members have been vaccinated to date.
For the ones that want the vaccine but cannot get immunized because of a fever, you are advised to get your vaccine as soon as the fever is gone. Clinics are scheduled for today, Friday & Saturday. The H1N1 Vaccination Clinics continue to be our priority for the remainder of this week. The priority for the community members is to do what’s needed to contain or stop the spread of the H1N1 Virus.

Public awareness material on the H1N1 Influenza has been issued by the Public Health Centre and additional information on the H1N1 Influenza is available on the internet.

A flu assessment centre at the EPR Centre is being planned for early next week.

The community members are strongly encouraged to read and understand the Community Emergency Pandemic Plan (CEPP); as the CEPP is designed to guide the decision makers during a Pandemic in our community.

We continue to work at improving our public information strategy. We will be posting regular updates on Moose Cree’s website and the MF H1N1 blog. As well, we encourage everyone to assist by sending updates through email.

The Community Emergency Pandemic Control Group meets on a regular basis and our next meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Friday October 30th.

Based on the numbers coming in, this Flu is aggressively advancing throughout our community. Everyone needs to take this Flu more seriously and to do what you think will prevent it from advancing.

Take care.

Community Emergency Pandemic Plan

2009-10-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

To view the Emergency Pandemic Plan for Moose Factory, please go to www.moosecree.com

2009-10-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

Influenza Vaccines

2009-09-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

The H1N1 flu virus emerged in April 2009 and surveillance of its spread shows that it is affecting more young and healthy people than the regular seasonal flu, which normally affects seniors and young children. People with underlying medical conditions and pregnant women may be at a greater risk for severe illness from H1N1. Since the WHO’s declaration of a pandemic in June 2009, the H1N1 flu virus is now the dominant influenza virus in circulation in the world and in Ontario. Public health officials anticipate that the pandemic H1N1 flu virus will continue to be the predominant strain circulating this fall. As of September 22, there have been 78 deaths due to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Canada, 24 of which have been in Ontario.

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) announcement on changes to the seasonal flu immunization campaign this fall

Yesterday, the Ontario MOHLTC announced the approach that will be taken in phasing the two flu vaccine programs in the fall, by targeting those most at risk from complications from either of the flu strains.

In October, the seasonal flu vaccine will be offered to Ontarians 65 years and over and residents of long-term care homes
H1N1 vaccine will be offered to the general population in November.
The universal seasonal influenza immunization program will be offered to all other residents six months of age and older in December/January.

The decision to take this approach is based on scientific analysis by the province’s top immunization experts. Some of the considerations that were used to come to this decision are as follows:
Evidence shows the H1N1 flu virus will be the main strain in circulation this fall in Ontario
Seniors are most at risk for complications from seasonal flu while younger people are more at risk for complications from H1N1 flu. Also, data shows that infection from pandemic H1N1 virus does not typically occur in persons over age 60, probably as a result of residual immunity from exposure to H1N1 prior to 1957.
Some studies in Canada show a potential association between prior seasonal flu vaccination and risk of getting an infection with the H1N1 virus
There is no scientific data that supports the safety and effectiveness of administering the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine at the same time

Next Steps

Please work with the CHNs in your communities to think about how they will reach out to those 65 years and older during the first phase of the seasonal flu vaccination campaign in October. This may be very similar to the approach used by communities for the pneumococcal vaccination campaign carried out over the summer months, where those aged 65 years and older were also targeted. We will continue to provide you with further updates on the two influenza vaccination campaigns this fall as more information becomes available.

Notice from Kim McComb - WGH Infection Control

2009-08-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, ALL;

The H1N1 Outbreak Status has been lifted for our Hospital. Therefore, all staff can enter the building through the flag pole or Administration entrance on Hospital Drive and NOT through the ER entrance to the Hospital.

Each of you will also be required to self-screen before coming to work. If you are symptomatic with at least two or more of the following symptoms please stay home and call in, or if you are in need of care please put on a mask and wash your hands when you enter the hospital, then present to the receptionist at A&D or to an ER nurse immediately.

The symptoms are as follows: Cough, Fever, Body Aches and/or Headache, Chills, Fatigue, Sore Throat, Runny or Stuffy Nose, Diarrhea, and/or Vomiting.

Visiting hours will return to the regularly scheduled times. Visitor will also have to self-screen, sign in and out, and WASH THEIR HANDS at the station inside the flag pole entrance. It is ALL of our responsibility to insure the community understands that these hours are to be adhered to and not have people wondering in and out at will.

Let's continue to keep our patients, colleagues, families, and community healthy and safe.

I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely THANK YOU, ALL for your cooperation, participation, and diligence in keeping this virus at bay by participating in the screening, signing in, and washing your hands. We did a great job for round one, round two will be here, the experts expect, this Fall with the seasonal FLU.

Please watch for the different vaccination clinics: the first one is the Pneumovacs 23 (which is a vaccine that contains 23 different types of pneumonia) that should be taken by everyone that has any chronic respiratory disorder (asthma, COPD, CHF,…), diabetes, or any other chronic illness and it is on right now. So, please contact the Health Centre and roll up your sleeve. The next vaccine scheduled is the Annual FLU SHOT and we should be starting these clinics in late September or early October. And the third and last vaccine for this year, is the H1N1 vaccine and it should be available by early to mid December 2009.

WASH YOUR HANDS and TAKE YOUR VITAMIN D!

Thank you, ALL again and have a nice day!
Kim McComb

LATEST UPDATE

2009-08-17T14:22:00.001-07:00

H1N1 Flu 2009 Updates ***

MOOSE FACTORY STATISTICS - AUGUST 21st 2009
"We have reviewed the information on new cases and now consider this outbreak over." - Dr Michael Green, Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health will continue with implementing prevention and awareness measures as done in these past weeks.

PLEASE KEEP UP WITH THE BEST PREVENTION OF WASHING HANDS, SNEEZING & COUGHING IN YOUR SLEEVE, KEEPING KIDS HOME IF SICK, STAYING HOME FROM WORK IF VERY ILL AND AVOIDING CONTACT WITH OTHERS WHO ARE ILL.

Community Members of Moose Factory, Community Organizations, MCFN & WGH Staff - You are doing a wonderful job of helping prevent this virus from entering our homes. Keep up the great work - you have our greatest thanks. - Moose Factory Health Centre

TOTAL OF 115 PEOPLE SWABBED/TESTED
5 positive cases - last positive collected August 8th & reported August 12th
1 positive case for Influenza A - untypeable
No hospitalizations
23 confirmed negative for both H1N1 and Influenza A
54 preliminary reports received as influenza A negative * virus culture pending
31 people waiting for results

MOOSONEE
THE DAILY PRESS HAS REPORTEDTHAT THERE ARE 2 POSITIVE CASES OF H1N1 IN MOOSONEE. WE HAVE CONTACTED THE PORCUPINE HEALTH UNIT AND CONFIRMED THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. THERE ARE NO POSITIVE CASES IN MOOSONEE AT THE PRESENT TIME. - AUGUST 13, 2009

Dr. Trusler from Weeneebayko General has a public message that is being aired on channel 67 on local cable network. A new televised report will be provided next week.

TAMIFLU is an anti-viral medication and is available in the community to treat flu symptoms: runny nose, headache, nausea, cough, achy bones, chills, sore throat & Fever.

If you have symptoms of influenza, seek medical attention right away from Weeneebayko - then stay home and quarantine yourself & any other family members that are SICK with flu-like symptoms

Please take every precaution to protect our community, yourself & family members: OUR HEALTH IS IN OUR HANDS - SO WASH THEM!!!

VITAMIN D STANDING ORDER AT PHARMACY IN MOOSE FACTORY & MOOSONEE

2009-08-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

We are updating the standing order for Vitamin D3, as further research has shown that many patients do not reach their therapeutic levels of Vitamin D at 2000 units per day. People that are over 35, heavier, darker skin, avoid the sun or use sun screen, and have chronic illness like diabetes or hypertension or other cardiovascular diseases, need more Vitamin D to get to their therapeutic levels. The higher dose will also give them greater protection from viral and bacterial infections. This will help in reducing the impact of the H1N1 INFLUENZA AND OTHER INFLUENZA on themselves.

This is all to be 3 months supply and repeat basically forever.
Please do two year repeats, and then start again.

Sincerely,

Dennis M Dahl MD

2009-08-14T14:16:00.001-07:00

IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH NOTICE from the MCFN Chief & Council
and Health Services

For the health and safety of your family, friends and our community, do not attend public events if you have one or more of the H1N1 Flu Virus Symptoms; Even if you have been tested and you are waiting for your test results. If you haven’t been tested, go to the Weeneebayko General Hospital for medical treatment.

As the local governing authority responsible for the health and well- being of our citizens, the Moose Cree First Nation Chief & Council & Health Services has directed the management of the EPR Centre and Thomas Cheechoo Jr Memorial Complex to take extra precautionary measures by implementing the Public Events Sign-In Sheet. Basically what this means is that everyone attending a public event at the EPR Centre or TCJMC will be required to sign the public event sign-in sheet declaring that they do not have any of the H1N1 Flu symptoms.

Also, in order to control and reduce the spread of the H1N1 Flu Virus, we need all community members to do their part by;

a) Taking this H1N1 Flu Virus seriously
b) Take the time to learn more about the H1N1 Flu Virus
c) Follow and practice the things we need to do to stop the H1N1 Flu from spreading more in our community
d) Take the time to educate your children about H1N1 Flu Virus
e) Understand, help and respect the community members that have/will get the H1N1 Flu

The only way that we will get through this health crisis is with your cooperation, and prayers.

Thank you.

LETTER FROM BLACKNED FAMILY

2009-08-07T11:36:00.001-07:00

Dear Community Members of Moose Factory;

It has been brought to our attention and to our concern about the reaction of how our community has been coping and dealing with this flu H1N1.

As rumor has it and we are here to set the record straight, it is true a family member had contracted this illness while here in Moose Factory upon a regular summer visit which began at the begining of July. Three week later the baby fell ill after coming into contact with someone from this town. The baby was treated for pneumonia but later tested for this flu and as were the caregivers of this child. This personal private information was ours to be held in confidentiality but has been the talk of the town lately, so we are here to share and to hopefully address this problem of how people are handling this illness in our community.

As a family, we have kept to ourselves and as the doctor recommended we took the proper precautions to contain this flu virus from spreading any further. However, our mother has been doing our essential shoppings and has had NO SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS of this flu virus has encountered numerous incidents of discrimination specifically from store personnel, taxi drivers, random community members, restaurant owners to name a few.
If you are not sure about how you can contract this flu we advise you to seek advice from someone in the medical field or from the local Health Centre. The flu is here and its possible it was here already and we were just the first to receive testing.

Once again rumors and gossip escalate and thus in turn people react with mistreatment and prejudice because they are not informed or do not understand and need further information. We understand that this flu is new and thats scary but treating people differently is inexcusable. By following certain instructions such as washing your hands, coughing in your shirt etc can help you from getting this flu. However alienating someone who you think may have it is just cruel. Therefore, we ask you to question yourself. Would I treat someone I know differently if he or she has this flu? Most likely you would NOT because you love and care for this person dearly and its almost like a seasonal flu and you would try to make this person feel better.

It is our hope that this flu H1N1 is contained but it is possible it may be inevitable and spread. Not everyone in our household got this flu and it could be they are immune to it. So please try to be human and have some compassion for those people who have the flu and who may not!

Yours truly without prejudice

Liz & Cheryl Blackned on behalf of Marjorie Blackned & family

Caring for H1N1 Flu Cases and Contacts Information

2009-08-05T11:13:00.000-07:00

Instruction for Confirmed or Suspected H1N1 Cases

Avoid contact with the rest of the family by using a separate bedroom and bathroom, if possible. If the bathtroom must be shared, make sure you have your own towel.
Cough into a tissue or your sleeve. Throw tissues away immediately.
Wash hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Don't share anything that goes in your mouth like utensils, drinking glasses and toothbrushes.
Don't have visitors in the house.
If you need to leave the house for a medical appointment, or need to spend time within 6 feet of other people, wear a surgical mask. These can be purchased at pharmacies, or handware stores.
Self isolate for 7 days at onset of your symptoms.
Follow the advice of your health care provider. You can also call Telehealth Ontario for advice (1-866-797-00000. Avoid the use of aspirin and aspirin-containing products for children and teenagers.

Instructions for Contacts of H1N1 Cases

1. Contacts who have symptoms should be assessed by a health professional.
2. Contacts who have no symptoms should:
Limit activities in the community to only what is essential(eg.work/school)
Watch for symptoms that include: fever, cough, sore throat,
sore muscles, joint pain,fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.
At the first sign of Influenza-like symptoms, get health care
advice and inform your provider that you are a contact of a known case.

Instructions for Caregivers of H1N1 Cases

1. If possible, only one family member should care for a sick person. Pregnant women shold avoid providing care to others.
2. Have as little close contact as possible with the sick person. Stay at least 6 feet away from the sick person if possible.
3. Wear a surgical mask if you must be in direct contact with a sick person. These may be available at medical surgical supplies vendors, pharmacies or hardware stores. Whenever you take the mask off, throw it out. Do not re-use masks.
4. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub and after each time you care for the sick person and/or you remove your mask.
5. Provide extra cleaning in frequently touched areas of the house (e.g., table tops, keyboards, door knobs, counter tops, remote controls, telephones, light switches). Dishwashing and laundry can be done normal.

2009-08-05T09:58:00.000-07:00

*** Moose Factory H1N1 Updates & Information ***