H1N1 Influenza – Information
College of the North Atlantic continues to monitor the possible impacts of the H1N1 pandemic in our campus communities and throughout the province in the event that an outbreak occurs.
The college has been working with various departments within the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to ensure accurate information is made available to our staff, faculty and students in a timely manner.
CNA is actively working on a plan to address various elements of Preparedness and Response in the event of an outbreak. This plan will be provincial in scope in order to address all geographic regions of college operations.
The plan is currently in draft form and will be finalized for implementation at the beginning of our fall semester and the return of faculty and students.
The most effective way to avoid the illness is to take precautions around general hygiene and public health.
[TOP]
Clean, Cover and Contain is the recommended approach:
Clean: Clean your hands regularly with soap and water or hand sanitizer.
Cover: Use a tissue, arm or crook of your elbow to cover sneezes or coughs rather than your hands, as germs have a better chance of being passed on through general contact. Dispose of tissues or handkerchiefs properly.
Contain: If you have flu like symptoms or contract the illness, stay at home and get plenty of rest so it doesn’t spread to others. Avoid sharing utensils, cigarettes, drinks or personal care items.
People at higher risk of serious complications include:
- people age 65 years or older
- children younger than 5 years old
- pregnant women
- people of any age with conditions like asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, HIV/AIDS or other conditions that weaken the immune system
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 70% of hospitalizations in the United States have been people with such underlying conditions.
However, there is some evidence that H1N1, like previous strains of pandemic influenza, can also cause serious illness in some otherwise healthy children and young adults.
Please use the following links to learn how best to protect yourself from H1N1 Influenza and explore up-to-date information.
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Guidance for Post Secondary Schools
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/hp-ps/psili-eng.php
- Pregnancy and H1N1 Influenza (Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/swine-porcine/pregnancy-grossesse-eng.php
- Canadian Associations of University Business Officers (CAUBO)
http://www.caubo.ca/pandemic/index_e.cfm
- Influenza – Evidence-based Information Portal
http://www.ebcohost.com/flu
- Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
- World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/en/
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Travel Reports & Warnings
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/menu-eng.asp
- Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/