Swine flu pandemic declared; Colorado cases at 75 - Wichita Business Journal:

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WHO raised its pandemic warnint level for H1N1 fluto six, the highest RESOURCES: See links and informatiob at the end of this report. The declarationb means infections are spreading around the worlr but is not an indication of how seriou thesymptoms are. Many health experts say swinde flu is generally no more or less dangerousz that the usualseasonal flu. The Geneva-basec agency said 27,737 cases of H1N1 flu has been confirmedr in74 nations, causing at least 141 "At this early stage, the pandemidc can be characterized globally as beingg moderate in severity," a WHO statemen t said. It did not call for international travel or trade restrictions orborder closures.
In no deaths from H1N1 flu havebeen reported. In the Unite States, the latest tally from the federalis 13,21u7 confirmed cases nationwide and 27 The only other nations with more than 1,0090 confirmed cases are with 5717; Canada, with 2,446; Chile, with 1,694; and with 1,224, WHO reported. The last declared pandemifc was the Hong Kong flu outbreakof 1968, which killedr about 1 million peopld worldwide, the Associated Press reported. The CDC and othedr health authorities say that thosewith flu-likew symptoms should avoid contact with stay home from work, and seek treatment only if seriouslhy ill.
"It is expected that most peoplre will recover without needingmedical care," the CDC says. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissuwe when you coughor sneeze. Thros the tissue in the trash after youuse it. Wash your hands often with soapand water, especiallh after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleanerxs are also effective. Try to avoid close contact with sick In May, the Denver-based "Upgrade hygiene protocols for both office environments and employees including maintenance of air-conditioning systems and sanitation of common areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and "Advise employee to stay home if they feel ill.
And to contacr their personal physicians if theyhave flu-likd symptoms. "Review leave policies relatexdto illness. Will pay provisions be relaxed to encourage employees to stay at home if they are potentiallycontagious ? Assure that your policies do not discourage workersx from staying home if they are. "Check and follo w health advisories prior to sending employees on business travel to affectex areas or temporarily suspend travel tothosew areas.
" In the event of a more seriouzs turn in the flu outbreak, the MSEC advisexs these actions: "Identify core activities essentiapl for business continuity and the skills necessary to stay Cross-training of employees may be required. "Explorse how work would continuew if half your workforce is notat work. Absenteeism rates between 20 percent-60 percent could be expectesd during the height ofthe pandemic.
"Provids equipment and support for employees to telecommut if theirjobs 'Social distancing' is a key tactic to limit the spread of the "Encourage flex hours to avoid overcrowding the "Review corporate-wide insurance policies, specifically health, disability, salarhy continuance, business travel and life insurancse related to the pandemic. Communicate policy provisions to employees." Additionall information is availablefrom swine-flu websites established by the , the and the .
The Coloradi Department of Public Healthand Environment's informatiojn line for the swine flu is