For a fact sheet and general information on the Swine Flu click HERE.

The BC Ministry of
Health have developed an excellent document entitled Managing Pandemic
Influenza – A Guide for BC Industry and Commerce. According to the Guide,
business can take 10 straightforward steps to become prepared for a
pandemic. 

From the BC Ministry of Health – Top 20 Ways To Prepare for a Pandemic:

1. Have an emergency kit on hand with medical supplies and at a minimum a 72 hour (3 day) supply of food and water for all people and pets in your household
2. Stay informed and up-to-date – check the Ministry of Health, Pandemic Influenza and B.C. Centre for Disease Control websites and read articles, watch the news, and listen to the radio
3. Plan to get your annual influenza vaccination to help boost your immune system
4. Teach your children good hygiene to protect them from the influenza virus:
• Wash your hands frequently before eating and after using the washroom – keep soap at each kitchen or bathroom sink for hand washing
• When you are sick, stay home – it is the best way to stop the spread of infection
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue – throw your tissue away immediately
5. Practice a healthy lifestyle – eat healthy foods and get regular exercise – to boost your immune system and help protect yourself and others from influenza
6. Inform yourself about the basics of pandemic influenza – forewarned is forearmed
7. Develop your own family plan for a pandemic so you can address issues such as family illness and school or daycare closures
8. Designate an out-of-town relative or friend to act as a common contact for your family members
9. Make a list of phone numbers of hospitals, doctors, BC NurseLine, Health InfoLine and health units and place them near the phone or on your fridge (refer to the Contacts page) – let family members know where these numbers are located
10. Have a financial plan in case you or a family member is unable to work for a period of time due to illness or family illness
11. Have enough prescription medicines on hand for at least six months
12. Stock over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or Aspirin®, antacid and cough/cold medication. Aspirin® should not be given to children 20 years or younger because of the risk of Reye’s Syndrome.
13. If you are able, plan to work from home during a pandemic
14. If traveling, check travel advisories on the Public Health Agency of Canada website
15. If you have been traveling in areas where influenza activity is high, monitor your health (watch for symptoms of fever and cough). If you have these symptoms, call the BC NurseLine or your doctor
16. If you own a business, make sure you have a plan in place to address employee absenteeism and a possible decrease in sales and revenue
17. Ask your local government, school district, daycare and employer about their preparations for a pandemic
18. Talk with neighbours, seniors and others in your neighbourhood to see if they are preparing for a pandemic, and if they will require any help
19. If you know a health care worker, emergency responder or other frontline workers, talk with them now to find out how you can help them during a pandemic
20. Review and revise your plans regularly and rotate food and water supplies.

 

What is Influenza?

Influenza, or the "flu,"
is a common respiratory disease caused by a virus. Every year, the flu
virus causes outbreaks in fall and winter. This is because each year,
the flu virus changes a little so the protection, or immunity, our bodies
have built up against previous viruses is not as effective.

The flu spreads easily
from person to person through coughing and sneezing and hands touching
your eyes, mouth or nose. Flu symptoms can appear suddenly and include
a fever, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, a runny nose and a sore
throat. The worst symptoms usually last about five days, but coughing
can last up to two to three weeks. Sometimes children with the flu can
have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Although colds and
other viruses may cause similar symptoms, influenza weakens a person
more than other viruses. About 20 per cent of persons infected will
not have any symptoms. In others, symptoms can be mild to severe. However,
if infected, very young children, people with some chronic medical conditions
and the elderly are more likely than healthy older children or adults
to get very sick, and may need to be hospitalized. In Canada up to 7000
people die each year from influenza or its complications. People over
65 years are at the greatest risk of dying from the flu.

How
is Pandemic Flu Different?

Flu pandemics happen
when a new kind of influenza virus, that is able to spread easily from
person to person appears, and spreads quickly around the world. Since
people have no protection against the new virus, it will likely cause
more illnesses and a larger number of deaths than the seasonal flu.

According to the BC
Centre for Disease Control, influenza pandemics represent global emergencies
with catastrophic impact. During a pandemic, worldwide epidemics of
influenza due to a new viral subtype occur simultaneously and with high
death rates. Pandemics occur every ten to forty years. During the last
century alone, three occurred. The worst was between 1918 and 1919 when
over 20 million people died. When the next pandemic occurs – and it
will – no time can be lost in responding. This means governments, business
and communities must work together now to develop efficient and effective
interventions and strategies.