Swine flu pandemic declared; Colorado cases at 75 - Atlanta Business Chronicle:

dyakonostrlin.blogspot.com
WHO raised its pandemic warning level for H1N1 fluto six, the highestg level. RESOURCES: See links and informationm at the end ofthis report. The declaration meanes infections are spreading around the worlcd but is not an indication of how serioud thesymptoms are. Many health experts say swin flu is generally no more or less dangerous that the usualseasonalo flu. The Geneva-based agency said 27,737 cases of H1N1 flu has been confirmef in74 nations, causing at least 141 deaths. "At this earlh stage, the pandemic can be characterized globallyu as being moderatein severity," a WHO statemen said.
It did not call for international travel or tradde restrictions or border In Colorado, no deathsz from H1N1 flu have been reported. In the Unitee States, the latest tally from the federaklis 13,217 confirmed cases nationwide and 27 deaths. The only other nations with morethan 1,000 confirmexd cases are Mexico, with 5717; Canada, with Chile, with 1,694; and Australia, with 1,224, WHO The last declared pandemic was the Hong Kong flu outbreaki of 1968, which killed about 1 millio n people worldwide, the Associated Press The CDC and other health authorities say that those with flu-like symptoms should avoid contact with others, stay home from work, and seek treatmenty only if seriously ill.
"It is expected that most peoplre will recover without needing medical theCDC says. • Cover your nose and mouthn with a tissue when you coughor sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash afterd youuse it. • Wash your hands ofteb with soapand water, especially after you cougn or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Try to avoid closre contact withsick people. In May, the Denver-basedf "Upgrade hygiene protocols for both officew environments and employees including maintenanceof air-conditioninbg systems and sanitation of common areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and elevators. "Advise employee to stay home if theyfeel ill.
And to contacty their personal physicians if theyhave flu-likde symptoms. "Review leave policies related to Will pay provisions be relaxed to encourage employees to stay at home if they arepotentiall contagious? Assure that your policies do not discouragwe workers from staying home if they are. "Checkk and follow health advisories priodr to sending employees on business travel to affectefd areas or temporarily suspend travel tothose areas." In the event of a more serious turn in the flu the MSEC advises these actions: "Identify core activitiesw essential for business continuity and the skillsa necessary to stay operational. Cross-training of employeew may be required.
"Explore how work woul d continue if half your workforce is not at Absenteeism rates between20 percent-60 percent coulsd be expected during the height of the pandemic. "Provids equipment and support for employees to telecommute if theirjobs 'Social distancing' is a key tactic to limi t the spread of the virus. "Encourage flex hourz to avoid overcrowdingthe workplace. "Reviewe corporate-wide insurance policies, specifically disability, salary continuance, business travel and life insurancer related tothe pandemic. Communicatd policy provisions to employees." Additional information is availablefrom swine-flhu websites established by the , the and the .
The Coloradol Department of Public Health and Environment's information line for the swinse flu is 877-462-2911.