DURHAM -- Durham County Public Health Department has issued tips to employers about coping with the H1N1 -- swine flu -- virus.
Public health advises employers of all sizes that the impact of H1N1 on a business can be debilitating. In the workplace, many people can quickly become sick as the virus can be easily transmitted among employees. Large number of absences can affect usual business operations. Durham County Health Director Gayle Harris urges businesses to have a continuity plan in place should normal business operations be affected by employee absences.
Spread of the H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something - such as a surface or object - with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. To protect employees from becoming sick, employers are encouraged to communicate and practice flu prevention measures as well as develop and regularly update their business continuity plan in response to the H1N1 virus.
Employers are encouraged to routinely clean commonly touched surfaces and communicate health and safety tips to their employees. Tips to protect employees include:
- Employees should always cover their cough and sneeze with a tissue or use their upper sleeve. Dispose of used tissues in a trash can and wash hands.
- Employees should regularly wash their hands with soap and water. If not possible, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Anyone with flu-like symptoms should stay home and away from the workplace until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever without fever-reducing medication.
Employers are urged to include health messages on their employee Webs site or posted in highly visible areas. To download health and safety tips on novel H1N1 as well as information on business continuity planning, employers can visit the Durham County Public Health Web site. At the site, information is available along with links to other healthcare authorities such as the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Going into the fall season, illness from novel H1N1 flu is expected to markedly increase. Durham County Public Health urges employers to prepare for increased employee absences and the potential impact to business operations.
