NAN First Nations share information concerning the Human Swine Influenza and FAQs
Memorandum
TO: NAN First Nations, Tribal Councils and NAN Members
FROM: Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler
RE: Human Swine Influenza - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Due to recent headlines about Severe Respiratory Infections (SRI) cluster cases in Mexico, confirmed cases of the Human Swine Influenza in the United States, and now six confirmed cases in Canada, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) would like to advise its 49 member First Nations, that we will continue to provide up to date, current assessments/news to you regarding this international health concern.
There are many websites and news stories regarding the swine influenza. However, NAN would like to direct its communities to visit reputable sites such as the Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine-porcine/surveillance-eng.php, the World Health Organization http://www.who.int/csr/swine_flu/swine_flu_faq.pdf, and the First Nations Pandemic website http://pandemic.knet.ca/ for information.
Should you have any questions, you are encouraged to contact the following:
- Telehealth (24 hours per day, 7 days a week): 1-866-797-0000
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit - Infection Diseases Department 1-807-625-8318
- Weenaybayko Health Authority 1-705-658-2248
- Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre 1-807-737-3030
- First Nations & Inuit Health – Sioux Lookout 1-807-737-5865 – Surabhi Patel-Widmeyer, Health Emergency Coordinator
- First Nations & Inuit Health – Ontario Region, Health Canada 1-416-973-2008
- Nishnawbe Aski Nation - Sarah Perrault, Public Health Policy Analyst, Nishnawbe Aski Nation: 1-800-465-9952; however, if the Public Health Policy Analyst is not available, please contact Sophia Barkman, Health Administrative Assistant, Nishnawbe Aski Nation: 1-800-465-9952 to leave a message
Please review the following health advisory and frequently asked questions (FAQ) for your reference.
HEALTH ADVISORY
TO: NAN First Nations, Tribal Councils and NAN Members
FROM: NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler
RE: Human Swine Influenza - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Cases of Human Swine Influenza in Canada
As of April 26, 2009 a 10:45 a.m., the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has confirmed that there have been six confirmed cases of Human Swine Influenza in Canada. The confirmed cases have taken place in British Columbia (2 cases) and Nova Scotia (4 cases).
Further updates will be posted on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s surveillance website at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine-porcine/surveillance-eng.php .
Frequently Asked Questions
Source: Public Health Agency of Canada website: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine-porcine/faq_rg_swine-eng.php [April 27, 2009]
• I have heard that people are becoming sick with swine influenza. What is it?
• How can an influenza virus spread from pigs to people?
• Is human swine influenza contagious? How does it spread between people?
• I got my flu shot this year. Will it protect me against human swine influenza?
• What should I do if I get sick while I am travelling?
• Can I catch swine influenza from eating pork?
• What can I do to protect myself from infection?
Additional FAQs
Source: World Health Organization (WHO) website: http://www.who.int/csr/swine_flu/swine_flu_faq.pdf [April 27, 2009]
• To protect yourself, practice general preventative measures for influenza.
I have heard that people are become 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.
Human swine influenza is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu. The symptoms include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people with human swine influenza have also reported vomiting and diarrhea.
How can an influenza virus spread from pigs to people?
Different strains of influenza are commonly circulating in our environment, including strains that can cause illness in humans, birds and pigs.
Sometimes, humans and animals can pass strains of flu back and forth to one another through direct close contact - such as in pig production barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. For people in close contact with pigs, the recommendations to avoid infection are the same as for regular seasonal influenza – frequent hand-washing, getting an annual flu shot, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill.
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.
Influenza infections can be 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.
I got my flu shot this year. Will it protect me from 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.
What should I do if I get sick while I am travelling?
If you develop symptoms while you are travelling, seek care from local health care professionals.
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. The swine influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160°F/70°C, corresponding to the general guidance for the preparation of pork and other meat. Use a food thermometer to confirm pork has been heated thoroughly.
What can I do to protect myself from infection?
The Public Health Agency advises the following:
• 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
To protect yourself, the following are general preventative measures for influenza
Additional FAQ from the World Health Organization (WHO) website: http://www.who.int/csr/swine_flu/swine_flu_faq.pdf
To protect yourself, practice general preventive measures for influenza:
• Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have a fever and cough
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and thoroughly
• Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active
If there is an ill person at home:
• Try to provide the ill person a separate section in the house. If this is not possible, keep the patient at least 1 meter in distance from others
• Cover mouth and nose when caring for the ill person
• Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly after each contact with the ill person
• Try to improve the air flow in the area where the ill person stays; use doors and windows to take advantage of breezes
• Keep the environment clean with readily available household cleaning agents
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) resource sites
First Nations Pandemic website: http://pandemic.knet.ca/
Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) website: http://www.tbdhu.com/NR/rdonlyres/8322C8A5-88A4-4FF8-91CA-8EDC965C3AE4/3267/QAHuman_Swine_Flu_25_Apr_130amFINALAPPROVED.pdf
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) website: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine-porcine/faq_rg_swine-eng.php
World Health Organization (WHO) website: http://www.who.int/csr/swine_flu/swine_flu_faq.pdf
Contacts
• Your own Community Health Clinic/Nursing Station
• Telehealth (24 hours per day, 7 days a week): 1-866-797-0000
• Thunder Bay District Health Unit - Infection Diseases Department 1-807-625-8318 or visit their website: http://www.tbdhu.com/Resources/News/2009/April/SwineFlu.htm
• Weenaybayko Health Authority 1-705-658-2248
• Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre 1-807-737-3030
• First Nations & Inuit Health – Sioux Lookout 1-807-737-5865 – Surabhi Patel-Widmeyer, Health Emergency Coordinator
• First Nations & Inuit Health – Ontario Region, Health Canada 1-416-973-2008
• Sarah Perrault, Public Health Policy Analyst, Nishnawbe Aski Nation: 1-800-465-9952; if I am not available, please contact Sophia Barkman, Health Administrative Assistant, Nishnawbe Aski Nation: 1-800-465-9952 to leave a message