The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has identified a cluster of patients who exhibited signs and symptoms of Swine Influenza (Swine Flu). Subsequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that several students from the St. Francis School in Fresh Meadows, Queens were infected with the swine influenza virus. The outbreak, which originated in Mexico, has spread to the United States, specifically Texas, California, Kansas, Ohio and New York.
According to the CDC, swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by type-A influenza that regularly causes outbreaks in pigs. Since the infection can now be spread from person to person, the MediSys Health Network—Brookdale, Flushing, Jamaica, and Peninsula Hospitals—has taken several measures to ensure the health of its employees and the public. These steps include:
• Isolating and masking patients who are exhibiting symptoms of swine flu
• Using a rapid influenza test, when necessary, and conducting nasal swabs to determine if patients are infected with swine flu viruses
• Assessing the inventory of masks, antiviral medicine, etc. and ordering any additional needed supplies
• Activating the network’s situation room, a centralized point of contact for hospital leadership throughout the network
To ease some of your concerns, the network has provided answers to the most commonly asked questions about swine flu.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue, as well as diarrhea and vomiting.
If I have symptoms should I go to work?
If you have flu symptoms you should not go to work. Employees out more than five days will have to get clearance to return from Employee Health Services.
Do I have to wear a mask at work?
Only if you are directly attending to a patient who is suspected (showing symptoms) or confirmed of having swine flu
How contagious is swine flu?
Swine flue spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. To lower your risk:
• Cover your mouth when you cough
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based cleaner
• If you are sick, stay at home and limit your contact with others
*We ask that employees DO NOT hoard or take home any masks or supplies. We are carefully monitoring our inventory and will deal with any such action harshly.
Where can I find more information?
For more information:
Contact your supervisor;
Contact the Infection Control Department of your facility;
Or link to on of the websites below for more information for the public and providers on the NYC DOH and CDC websites.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/cd-swineflu.shtml
Provided by the Department of Public Affairs