SWINE INFLUENZA
General Information

Human swine influenza has been reported in Canada, Mexico and the United States. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working collaboratively with Mexican and American officials to further investigate this situation.

Governments around the world and the World Health Organization are engaged to investigate and address this situation.

PHAC continues to work with federal, provincial and international governments to address this situation, and will share more information with Canadians as it becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions

I have heard that people are becoming sick with swine influenza. What is it?
Human swine influenza has been reported in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Swine influenza (sometimes called swine flu) is a strain of the influenza virus that usually affects pigs, but which may also make people sick.

Is human swine influenza contagious? How does it spread between people?
Yes, this virus is contagious. Since some of the people who have become ill in the United States and Mexico have not been in direct contact with pigs, we know that the virus has spread from person to person.

More investigation is needed on how easily the virus spreads between people, but 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.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Human swine influenza is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu.Symptoms include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing, and sore throat. Some people with human swine influenza have also reported vomiting and diarrhea.

What can I do to protect myself from infection?
The Public Health Agency advises Canadians to:
§ Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer
§ Cough and sneeze in your arm or sleeve
§ Get your annual flu shot
§ Keep doing what you normally do, but stay home if sick
§ Talk to a health professional if you experience severe flu-like symptoms

Why are people concerned about this particular strain?
The strain of human swine influenza (H1N1) reported in Canada, Mexico and the United States is a new, or novel, influenza virus.

Since this is a new strain, people will likely have no natural immunity to protect against the virus. International experts are concerned that this strain could spread quickly. Investigation is underway to learn more about the way the virus spreads. Governments around the world and the World Health Organization are engaged to investigate and address this situation.

Are all cases of human swine influenza severe?
No. The cases of human swine influenza reported in Canada and in the United States were milder than those reported in Mexico. All of the cases reported to date in Canada and the U.S. have recovered. The cases reported in Mexico have been more severe, involving mostly healthy young people who rapidly progressed from mild illness to severe respiratory distress, within an average of five days.

Does the Government of Canada recommend the closing of schools, and other gathering places to limit the spread of the virus?
In Canada, decisions about school closures are made by local authorities and under certain circumstances, this may be advisable. PHAC recommends that people who are sick stay at home to reduce the risk of spreading infection. If this influenza virus spreads, people may want to avoid crowds to decrease the chance of exposure.

Should Canadians take any extra measures like wearing surgical masks to avoid catching human swine influenza?
Canadians should continue to take normal precautions to protect themselves as they would from a regular flu. While we are investigating to learn more about how this virus spreads, our best advice is for Canadians to wash their hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home when ill.

The Public Health Agency of Canada does not recommend that members of the general public wear surgical masks to protect against contracting human swine influenza. Evidence shows that this is not effective in preventing transmission of influenza in the general public. People often use masks incorrectly, or contaminate them when putting them on and taking them off, which could actually increase the risk of infection.

I got my flu shot this year. Will it protect me against human swine influenza?
This year’s annual influenza immunization, or flu shot, protects against the human strain of H1N1 influenza. The human swine influenza H1N1 strain is different than the human strain. It is unlikely that the seasonal flu shot will provide protection against human swine influenza. The flu shot will protect against the seasonal flu, which is still circulating in Mexico.

Should people be avoiding exposure to pigs?
In this case, we know that this human swine influenza (H1N1) is spreading between humans – not directly from pigs to people. As a result, there is little increased risk from proximity to pigs.

However, because humans can also spread the disease to pigs, individuals with influenza symptoms should avoid close contact with pigs to reduce the possibility of further disease transmission in the animal population.

Government officials are conducting investigations to find out more about how this particular strain of human swine influenza spreads.

Is this the next influenza pandemic?
It is too soon to know. Pandemic influenza is defined as a new influenza virus that spreads easily between humans and affects a wide geographic area. In this case, more investigation and information is needed to determine how easily the virus spreads. This investigation is ongoing.

Are all pandemics severe?
No. An influenza pandemic may be mild or severe. An influenza pandemic means the virus is spread easily between humans, and affects a wide geographic area. A pandemic influenza does not necessarily cause more severe illness.

If I have travelled to Mexico and/or California or Texas and I’m feeling sick, what should I do?
If you have travelled to Mexico, California or Texas and you become sick with flu-like symptoms - especially respiratory symptoms such as, fever and cough or difficulty breathing - see your doctor and tell him or her that you have recently travelled to those areas.

What is being done to make sure that people who are travelling do not spread the virus?
Federal Quarantine officers are stationed in airports, at the Halifax, Montreal and Vancouver Ports, and at borders and will detain individuals with symptoms of illness when departing or arriving in Canada so that they can be assessed.

However, people may not have symptoms until later. If this happens, they should contact their health care professional to discuss their symptoms and travel history.

Can I catch swine influenza from eating pork?
No. Proper cooking of pork products would kill any viruses. Make sure pork is cooked through, not pink in the middle. Use a food thermometer to confirm pork has been heated through to 71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit).

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada April 27, 2009

HANDWASHING

Why is hand washing important?

Hand washing, when done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Good hand washing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases among both children and adults.

Follow these five simple steps to keeping hands clean:

• Wet your hands with warm running water.
• Add soap, and then rub your hands together, making a soapy lather. Do this away from the running water for at least 15 seconds, being careful not to wash the lather away. Wash the front and back of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under your nails.
• Rinse your hands well under warm running water.
• Pat hands dry with a paper towel.
• Turn off water using same paper towel and dispose in a proper receptacle.
• What is good hand washing technique?

What are alcohol rubs/gels/rinses?

Alcohol rubs/gels/rinses are excellent hand antiseptics, provided they contain more than 60% alcohol. They are widely used in the health care settings, or in situations where running water is not available.

How do I use alcohol based hand rubs?

Alcohol-based hand rubs should only be used if no visible dirt is present on the hands.

Apply enough antiseptic to make about the size of a quarter onto your hands, enough when you rub your hands together to cover all areas of your hands, including under your nails. Use a rubbing motion to evenly distribute the antiseptic product until your hands feel dry.

Follow the steps below:

• Remove hand and arm jewellery
• Ensure hands are visibly clean (if soiled, follow hand washing steps)
• Apply between 1 to 2 full pumps of product, or squirt a loonie-sized amount, onto one palm.
• Spread product over all surfaces of hand, concentrating on finger tips, between fingers, back of hands, and base of thumbs.
• Rub hands until product is dry. This will take a minimum of 15 to 20 seconds if sufficient product is used.

How safe are alcohol based hand antiseptics ?

Very safe. The alcohol content of the antiseptic product completely evaporates as it dries.

Is it safe to use alcohol-based antiseptics for the hands of children?

Yes, it is safe. It should not be swallowed, therefore, young children should be supervised when using it. Store it safely. After application of the antiseptic to hands, the alcohol content evaporates.

What are some mistakes I should avoid regarding hand washing?

DON'T use a single damp cloth to wash a group of children's hands.

DON'T use a standing basin of water to rinse hands.

DON'T use a common hand towel. Always use disposable towels in day care or food preparation settings.

DON'T use sponges or non-disposable cleaning cloths. Remember that germs thrive on moist surfaces.

What are some ways to help children with good hand washing technique?

It is important to encourage and help children to wash hands before eating, after playing outdoors or playing with pets, after using the bathroom, and after blowing their noses.

Even though hands may appear to be clean, they may carry germs or microorganisms that are capable of causing disease. Don't assume that children know how to wash their hands properly.

Supervision, especially in a day care setting, is an essential element in forming good hand washing habits in children.

Children learn by example! Let them observe good hand washing technique from the adults who care for them.

(Source: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care)


10 Ways To Stop The Spread Of Germs At Home, Work And School
1. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
2. Disinfect your kitchen sink and counters daily.
3. Disinfect your bathroom - don't forget the doorknobs and faucet.
4. Regularly disinfect your desk and keyboard at work and avoid eating at your desk.
5. Stay home from work if you're sick and keep your children home from school when they have cold or flu symptoms.
6. Use your own pen, mug and utensils at work and store them separately.
7. Throw used tissues in the garbage.
8. Get your flu shot every year in the fall.
9. Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for times when you don't have soap and water.
10. Keep your immune system strong: eat well, stay active and get lots of sleep.
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada