H1N1 Influenza

The H1N1 influenza virus continues to spread across the United States and around the world.  The World Health Organization has assigned it the highest Pandemic Alert Level, meaning it has spread through human-to-human contact virtually everywhere on earth.  The pandemic level only refers to the extent of the disease’s spread, though, and not its severity.  The 2009 H1N1 strain is about as severe as the seasonal flu. There have been hospitalizations and deaths from illnesses associated with this virus, just as there are with the seasonal flu.

The 2009 H1N1 is a “novel” influenza virus - most people do not have antibodies to it.  Older people are the least likely to be infected, but they are on the list of those who are most likely to develop serious illness if they do get sick.  Those at the highest risk of developing severe illness after getting H1N1 are children younger than five, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions.  These are in the group of those who should be vaccinated, along with all people from 6 months through 24 years of age, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age and healthcare and emergency medical services personnel.

The flu can spread rapidly through a workplace, so to prevent an outbreak employers should:

• Review their pandemic flu or other emergency plans.
• Be sure that sick people do not come to work.  Employees should stay home for 24 hours after their fever is gone.
• Remind employees about cough etiquette (cover your cough or sneeze, toss tissues in the trash, and always wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose).
• Encourage frequent hand washing and provide waterless hand cleaner throughout the workplace.

State Fund is here to help protect California businesses by providing resources to ensure a safe workplace and healthy workers.