Influenza A(H1N1) Please Be Aware

by **Optiplex** Sun Jun 07, 2009 3:14 am

This is a public safety awareness announcement to all members of Tech Support. All MUST BE AWARE about this disease.

Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)

About The Disease

1 May 2009

How do people become infected with influenza A(H1N1)?

Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human
transmission. When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets
get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air.
Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands
or surfaces, and be exposed. To prevent spread, people should cover
their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and wash their hands
regularly.

What are the signs and symptoms of infection?

Early signs of influenza A(H1N1) are:
- flu-like, including fever,
- cough,
- headache,
- muscle and joint pain,
- sore throat and runny nose, and
- sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.

Regarding study of the first outbreak, have you
received any feedback from the WHO team sent to Mexico to investigate
the outbreak?

Teams are already sending epidemiological evidence but we will know more over the next few days.

Is there any confirmation of transmission between pigs and humans at this point?

No.

Is there any information on the economic impact of the outbreak so far?

No.

Why are we so worried about this pandemic possibility when thousands die every year from seasonal epidemics?

Seasonal epidemics occur every year and we are able to treat the virus
with seasonal vaccines. A pandemic is a worldwide epidemic. It is a new
virus and one to which the populations will have no immunity.