douglas College
Douglas College Campuses
 > Douglas College Home > H1N1 Flu Virus Information

H1N1 Flu Virus Information

H1N1 virus

H1N1 update for Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Reports of absences due to flu-like illness and the H1N1 virus appear to be declining at Douglas College. The College is prepared and continues to closely monitor developments and to consult with Fraser Health Authority.

For more information about H1N1 including the latest updates from BC's Ministry of Health Services, check out HealthLinkBC.

Information about vaccination clinics can be found using the BC Flu Clinic locator.

Reduce your risk

We remind everyone to take simple steps to reduce your risk. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid sharing personal items, and avoid direct contact with ill people.

If you are sick

Stay home if you are sick, and remain home at least 24 hours after you are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medication. If you suspect that you may have the flu and you have questions about the illness or your symptoms, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or 604-215-8110 or visit www.healthlinkbc.ca 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Reporting

Students are asked to contact your instructors if you are staying home due to flu-like symptoms.

Instructors are asked to report unusual levels of absenteeism to their Dean. 

Managers and Supervisors should report absences due to flu-like symptoms of employees you supervise. Please send an email with pertinent details to FluReport@douglascollege.ca 

Douglas College is continuing to monitor the potential and actual impact of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) situation on our community.

The College formed a Primary Pandemic Response Team to monitor the situation, develop response strategies and provide updates to the College community.

Our team will continue to meet and further update information as the situation unfolds. The team is being guided by and is working closely with the Fraser Health Authority and other relevant agencies in developing the appropriate responses.

H1N1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the College's commitment?

Douglas College is committed to protecting the health of our students, employees and users by:

  • Implementing measures to limit exposure to H1N1;
  • Identifying actions to take in the event of exposure to H1N1;
  • Monitoring levels of illness at all Douglas College locations and taking action as appropriate;
  • Keeping the College community informed with H1N1 information updates, awareness, education and preventative measures.

Will the College have a vaccination program?

Douglas College will offer H1N1 vaccination as it becomes available.


    What is H1N1?

    H1N1 Flu virus (also commonly referred to as swine flu) has been reported around the world and the World Health Organization has declared it a pandemic influenza virus. Pandemic influenza is defined as a new influenza virus that spreads easily between humans and affects a wide geographic area. A pandemic may happen in any season, with two to three waves of infection following the first wave.

    How is H1N1 spread?

    More investigation is needed on how easily the H1N1 virus spreads between people; it is believed that it is spread the same way as regular seasonal influenza. Influenza and other respiratory infections are transmitted from person to person when germs enter the nose and/or throat. Coughs and sneezes release germs into the air where they can be breathed in by others. Germs can also rest on hard surfaces like counters and doorknobs, where they can be picked up on hands and transmitted to the respiratory system when someone touches their mouth and/or nose.

    The H1N1 flu virus can live outside the body on hard surfaces, such as stainless steel and plastic, for 24 - 48 hours and on soft surfaces, such as cloth, paper, and tissues for 8 - 12 hours; however, it can only infect a person for up to 2 - 8 hours after being deposited on hard surfaces, and for up to a few minutes after being deposited on soft surfaces.

    What is the incubation and infectious period for H1N1?

    It is expected that the incubation period for H1N1 is two to seven days. More investigation is needed on how long a person can be infectious but it is believed that this period is for one day before the onset of symptoms and continues for approximately seven days after symptoms have started.

    What are the symptoms of H1N1?

    To date, symptoms of H1N1 are similar to the symptoms of regular flu:

    • Acute onset of respiratory illness with a fever and cough; AND one or more of the following symptoms:
      • sore throat;
      • muscle aches;
      • joint pain;
      • weakness;
      • Nausea and other gastrointestinal symptoms may also be present.

    Most people with influenza recover completely in one to two weeks; however, some may have serious complications (particularly those with underlying conditions) since the severity of illness can vary. In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
    • Sudden dizziness
    • Confusion
    • Severe or persistent vomiting
    • Flu-like symptoms improve but return with fever and worse cough

    What can I do if I have flu-like symptoms?

    Call HealthlinkBC at 8-1-1 and stay home.

    See HealthlinkBC for steps you can take to feel better. 

    What can I do if I've been in contact with someone who has H1N1 flu virus?

    If you are told you have been in contact with someone who has H1N1 flu, it is important to monitor yourself for symptoms. If you are not feeling sick, you do not need to stay home from work or school, see a doctor or take preventive medicine. Individuals can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or 604-215-8110 or visit http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if they have any questions or concerns.

    What can I do to protect myself and others?

    Handwashing
    • Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and immediately throw used tissues in the garbage and wash your hands.
    • No tissue? Cough and sneeze into your upper arm or sleeve. Do not cough on your hands.
    • Keep fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth - germs are transmitted that way.
    • Avoid sharing personal items, beverages, or eating and drinking utensils.
    • Avoid direct contact with ill persons.
    • Ensure good personal hygiene, sleep, diet and exercise habits in order to maintain good health.
    • Stay home and minimize contact with others if you are sick. This includes work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.

    What should I do if I am travelling internationally?

    The Government of Canada provides two very informative sites for international travelers, Travel Reports and Warnings, at http://www.voyage.gc.ca/, provides detailed country-specific information, including health related warnings. The fightflu.ca website also provides travel information at http://fightflu.ca/travel-voyage-eng.html, including a link to country specific travel health warnings from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

    Douglas College uses the Government of Canada travel warnings to guide decisions regarding employee travel on College business. In general, a travel advisory level 3 `avoid all non-essential travel' will result in the College cancelling travel plans.

    What is the College doing to prepare in the event of a pandemic outbreak on campus?

    Douglas College has been preparing to respond to H1N1 and the potential for a pandemic outbreak since human incident of the disease first appeared in April 2009. The Primary Pandemic Response Team is working to determine the impact a pandemic might have on the Douglas College community and develop plans accordingly, including:

    • Continue to review and revise our response as the situation develops
    • Implement infection prevention and control measures based on current recommendations by Fraser Health Authority such as installing signs for recommended hand-washing techniques in our washrooms and other public areas, installing hand-sanitizers at key locations on campus, and increasing levels of cleaning, maintenance and monitoring of supplies in washrooms and public spaces.
    • Support business continuity planning.
    • Arrange flu clinics for the fall semester.
    • Communicating to the Douglas College community on H1N1 related issues www.douglascollege.ca.

    What can I do in the event of an outbreak on campus?

    Should an outbreak occur the College will take direction from the Fraser Health Authority. You should take the following steps, as appropriate, to reduce the chance of catching the virus:

    • Use stairs instead of crowded elevators.
    • Avoid shaking hands, kissing or hugging people.
    • Eat your lunch away from crowded areas.
    • Monitor your email and this website for updates.
    • The Public Health Agency of Canada does not recommend that members of the general public wear surgical masks to protect against contracting H1N1 flu virus. Evidence shows that this is not effective in preventing transmission of influenza in the general public. People often use masks incorrectly, or contaminate themselves when putting masks on and taking them off, which could actually increase the risk of infection, according to the PHAC H1N1 website.

    What are my additional responsibilities?

    Students

    • Stay at home if you are sick. Remain at home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (100° F or 37.8° C) without the use of fever-reducing medication.
    • Contact your instructor or immediate supervisor if you are staying home due to flu-like symptoms.
    • Follow recommendations provided by the Fraser Health Authority and the College to help stop the spread of infection.
    • Monitor this page for the latest information on H1N1 at Douglas College.

    Instructors

    • Report unusual levels of absenteeism to your Dean. 
    • Assist the College by promoting these infection control practices to students.
    • Ensure that students are aware of this information.

    College employees

    • Stay at home if you are sick. Remain at home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (100° F or 37.8° C) without the use of fever-reducing medication.
    • Notify your Supervisor, Manager, Dean or Director as soon as possible if you cannot report to work due to flu-like symptoms.
    • Follow recommendations provided by the Fraser Health Authority and the College to help stop the spread of infection.
    • Monitor this page for the latest information on H1N1 at Douglas College.

    Managers and Supervisors

    • Report absenteeism due to flu-like symptoms. Send an email with pertinent details (first day sick, department & campus at which the individual works) to FluReport@douglascollege.ca. Information is confidential, it is not necessary to provide names.
    • If an employee is on a work assignment outside of Canada, arranged through International Education, and becomes ill with H1N1, contact International Education at 604-527-5402. If an employee is on a work assignment outside of Canada, not arranged through International Education, and becomes ill with H1N1, contact Employee Relations at 604-527-5342.
    • Assist the College by promoting infection control practices recommended by the College to staff.

    Why do I need to report levels of absenteeism?

    The College is responsible for monitoring health and safety on our campuses and must report outbreaks to the Fraser Health Authority to ensure appropriate and timely action is taken to protect the College community.

    How do I report levels of absenteeism?

    All managers and supervisors when advised of employee absenteeism due to flu-like symtoms will report this information by sending an email with pertinent details to FluReport@douglascollege.ca.

    IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

    FIRST AID

    From a College phone: 2400 David Lam and New Westminster campuses
    From a Cell phone: 604-777-6254 David Lam
    604-527-5405 New Westminster
    Training Group Locations: Contact designated first aid attendant in person or:
      Burnaby: Dial "0" from a site phone.
      Surrey: Dial "0" from a site phone.
      Maple Ridge: 604-626-1542 (Security) or
    604-467-5113 (Property Management)
      Abbotsford: Dial local 104 from a site phone.

    WHERE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION?

    THE PRIMARY PANDEMIC RESPONSE TEAM

    In the case of an H1N1 outbreak at any Douglas College location, members of the Business Continuity Plan will convene.

    Brad Barber Director, Communications and Marketing
    Nancy Constable Manager, Facilities Services
    Marian Exmann Associate Vice President, Employee Relations
    Debora Jackson Administrative Assistant, Facilities Services
    Terry Leonard Director, Facilities Services
    Karen Maynes Vice President, Finance and Administration
    Fernanda Santos Manager, Facilities Services

    MEDIA INQUIRIES

    Brad Barber
    Director, Communications and Marketing
    Phone: 604-527-5327
    Email: barberb@douglascollege.ca

    Please continue to monitor www.douglascollege.ca for the latest information on the H1N1 flu situation.

    What should you know after reading this document?

    After reading this information on H1N1, employees and students should be able to answer the following questions:

    • What is H1N1?
    • How is H1N1 transmitted?
    • What are the symptoms of H1N1?
    • What preventative measures are required to prevent H1N1 transmission and infection?
    • What to do if experiencing symptoms of the flu?
    • Where to get more information?
    • Who to contact if you are absent due to the flu or flu-like illness?
    • How do you report student or employee illness?
    • Why is it important to report illness or absence due to H1N1 or flu-like symptoms?

    Serious fun

    This light-hearted (but graphic!) video shows you the importance of hand washing and other precautions in preventing flu transmission.