Mexican flu
Mexican flu (New Influenza A (H1N1) virus)
Coughing Hygiene:
Good coughing hygiene consists of:averting your face from others when coughing;
covering your mouth with your hand when you cough, using a paper tissue;
using the paper tissue just once and then disposing of this in the waste bin;
frequently washing your hands with plenty of soap and water or rubbing Hibisol (hand alcohol) into the hands.
Coughing into the crook of your elbow is recommended; this avoids droplets on the hands.
The above-mentioned also applies to sneezing.
Hand Hygiene:
Good hand hygiene consists of:
disinfecting the hands using Hibisol (hand alcohol):
after coming into contact with bodily fluids (mucus, sputum);
after removing gloves and accidentally coming into contact with contagious materials without gloves;
after removing a mouth and nose filter mask.
If the hands are visibly contaminated, before disinfecting using hand alcohol, wash the hands with soap and water. Afterwards, first of all dry your hands properly (using a paper towel) and only then disinfect them using Hibisol (hand alcohol).
Technique for rubbing in Hibisol (hand alcohol):
1. Apply a minimum of 3 ml of Hibisol from the dispenser to dry hands. It is important that sufficient Hibisol is used.
2. Now carefully rub the hands together for approximately 30 seconds until the hands are dry. The alcohol solution must also be thoroughly rubbed into the finger tips, thumbs, the areas between the fingers and the wrists.
Clinical symptoms:
- Temperature ≥ 38°C and symptoms/signs of acute respiratory infection OR
- Pneumonia (serious respiratory disorder)
Contact:
Clinical symptoms start within 7 days after:
- close contact with a confirmed case of infection with the New Influenza A (H1N1) virus when illness was already present OR
- travel to an area where persistent human to human transfer of the New Influenza A (H1N1) virus is documented (definition of the area in accordance with the WHO decree)
FAQ
1. What is Mexican flu?
The new virus includes components of the well-known swine flu virus. It also includes components of the bird flu virus and the human flu virus. Therefore, New Influenza A (H1N1) does not originate directly from pigs. The virus is, however, capable of spreading from human to human.
2. What are the symptoms of Mexican flu?
'Normal' flu in people is a rapidly occurring illness of the airways caused by the influenza virus. The illness can be very mild to very serious.
The most common symptoms of Mexican flu are:
coughing
no appetite
muscle ache
sore throat
suffering from a cold
nausea
diarrhoea
lack of appetite
running nose
The reports about the current New Influenza A (H1N1) in people are not unequivocal.
3. How can the virus be transmitted?
Flu and cold viruses can be found in droplets of nasal discharge, mucous and saliva. The viruses are transmitted through talking, coughing or sneezing.
This is particularly prevalent in areas where people sit close to one another and that are poorly ventilated. For example, in trains, at schools or child care centres. Viruses are also transmitted by the hands and on objects.
4. How do you know whether you have normal flu or Mexican flu?
Flu is an inflammation of the airways, in other words: throat, windpipe and/or lungs. Flu is caused by an infection by the influenza virus type A or B. Mexican flu is type A, that is why it has the name New Influenza A.
The symptoms of the flu from Mexico are the same as the symptoms of normal seasonal flu: fever, sniffling, coughing and potentially joint pain.
The RIVM (National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection) advises people returning from the US or Mexico, who have a temperature (38 degrees or more) and flu-like symptoms, or who develop these symptoms within 7 days, to contact their general practitioner.
People who have been to other countries where the new flu is in circulation and who have had contact with sick people, should also report to their general practitioner if they have these symptoms.
Through an examination they will then analysed for the presence of influenza virus type A (H1N1). If they do have Mexican flu, a virus inhibitor, such as Tamiflu, will be prescribed.
Ask your organisation
1. Are you aware of the latest prognosis about Mexican flu and do you use the correct sources to ensure you are totally up to date?
2. Is someone within your company currently responsible for the preparations for Mexican flu?
3. Will you wait until your client demands that you show a strategy, or will you draw this up yourself before being asked?
4. For the sake of business continuity, are you aware of your critical processes, people and resources?
5. Are you aware of the impact on your services if 10, 30 or 50 percent of your staff are ill at home? And which customers will you actually give priority to?
6. Are key staff able to work from home?
7. Which of your staff can deputise for others?
8. Are your suppliers actually able to guarantee their business continuity to you?
9. Is it possible to make agreements regarding logistics with customers in order to soften the blow?
10. Would it be worth coming to an arrangement with temporary employment agencies or subcontractors to optimise the deployment of staff?