University of Missouri Extension
Flu Information for Employees
2009-2010
Compiled by the MU Extension Community Emergency Management Program
The purpose of this document is to provide every MU Extension employee with factual
information about the flu and the novel H1N1 pandemic so that rational decisions can be made
for our organization, our employees and their families. This information is taken directly from
leading public health agencies and was compiled in this document for your education and
awareness.
All employees are highly encouraged to monitor this situation closely, stay updated, set a
positive example and follow the advice of local public health agencies. MU Extension will
engage with all of our partners to limit the outbreak of any influenza.
Background Information on Influenza (Sources: CDC and EDEN)
In the United States, winter is the traditional time for seasonal influenza (flu). Flu outbreaks can
happen as early as October; however, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
In 2009, the flu season did not end but continued with the outbreak and worldwide spread of
novel H1N1. This new virus was first detected in Mexico and then in the United States in
April 2009. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates more than 1 million
people in the U.S. have had or have novel H1N1; 8,800 have been hospitalized, and 566 people
have died. In June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared novel H1N1 a pandemic
and warned to expect a second wave of the virus in fall 2009.
Although the severity of flu outbreaks during the fall and winter of 2009-10 is unpredictable,
more communities may be affected than were affected in spring/summer 2009, reflecting wider
transmission and possibly greater impact. CDC is working with state and local health departments
to continually monitor the spread of flu, its severity, and changes to the H1N1 virus causing it. If
this information indicates that flu is causing more severe disease than during the spring/summer
2009 H1N1 outbreak, or if other developments require more aggressive mitigation measures,
CDC may recommend additional strategies. Because severity may vary from community to
community, MU Extension offices should also look to their state and local health officials for
information and guidance specific to their locations.
Compiled by the MU Extension Community Emergency Management Program — October 2009
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Flu Terms Defined (Sources: CDC, WHO and EDEN)
Seasonal influenza is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted from person to person. Most
people have some immunity to seasonal flu, and typically seasonal flu vaccine is available for
populations at risk and the general public. Each year in the United States, more than 200,000
people are hospitalized due to seasonal flu and more than 36,000 people die from flu-related
complications.
Pandemic influenza is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza virus
appears in the human population that causes serious human illness and spreads easily from person
to person worldwide. Because people have little or no immunity built up to protect them from
such a new virus, there can be high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss.
There have been on average three pandemics every 100 years, and they can occur years apart or
back-to-back. The last major influenza pandemic occurred in 1918 (known as the Spanish Flu)
and killed as many as 50 million people worldwide, including more than 675,000 in the United
States. The current pandemic flu is the novel H1N1.
Novel H1N1 or 2009 H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing
illness in people worldwide. This new virus was first diagnosed in people in the United States in
April 2009. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic
of novel H1N1 flu was occurring and raised its Pandemic Alert to its highest level. This
designation was a signal to the world that a global pandemic was under way.
In August 2009, the novel H1N1 influenza virus is the predominant influenza virus in circulation
worldwide. The epidemiology (study of factors affecting the health and illness of populations) of
the disease caused by the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus currently circulating in the Southern
Hemisphere is very similar to that seen in the United States earlier this year. This does not
necessarily mean the virus that returns here this fall will be the same as last spring. It may be very
different with very different rates and severity of illness and death. Currently CDC is planning
mass inoculations with a new H1N1 vaccine starting this fall.
Bird flu is commonly used to refer to Avian flu (see below). Bird flu viruses infect birds,
including chickens, other poultry and wild birds such as ducks.
Avian flu (AI) is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. Low
pathogenic AI is common in birds and causes few problems. Highly pathogenic H5N1 is deadly
to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans by direct human contact with birds.
There is virtually no human immunity, and human vaccine availability is very limited.
Compiled by the MU Extension Community Emergency Management Program — October 2009
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How Flu Spreads (Source: CDC)
Person to Person
The main way that influenza viruses are spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of
coughs and sneezes. (This is called "droplet spread.") This can happen when droplets from a
cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth,
nose or eyes of people nearby. Influenza viruses may also be spread when people touch
respiratory droplets on another person or an object (such as a door knob or elevator button) and
then touch their own mouth, nose or eyes (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their
hands.
The Flu Is Contagious
Adults may infect others from one day before symptoms develop to five days after becoming sick.
Children may pass the virus for longer than seven days. Symptoms start one to four days after the
virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before
you know you are sick as well as while you are sick. Some persons can be infected with the flu
virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons can still spread the virus to others.
Flu Symptoms (Source: CDC)
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal
influenza and include:
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High fever (above 100 degree Fahrenheit)
Headache
Extreme tiredness
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle aches
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea also can occur but are
more common in children than adults
These symptoms are usually referred to as “flu-like symptoms.”
Those at High Risk for Complications (Source: CDC)
The high risk groups for novel H1N1 flu are not known at this time, but it’s possible that they
may be the same as for seasonal influenza. People at higher risk of serious complications from
seasonal flu include people age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years, pregnant
women, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart
disease), and people who are immunosuppressed (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications,
infected with HIV).
Compiled by the MU Extension Community Emergency Management Program — October 2009
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Emergency Warning Signs (Source: CDC)
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, call your physician
immediately or seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
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Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish or gray skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
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Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Control the Spread of the Virus (Source: CDC)
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands.
Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
Clean your hands thoroughly after coughing or sneezing
o Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds or longer.
or
o Clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Stay at Home if You Are Sick – Practice Self -Isolation
The typical illness lasts 3 to 5 days. Those with flu-like illness should stay away from their
workplace, schools or any public places and limit interactions with other people (called “selfisolation”), except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or
signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Some people with influenza will not
have fever; therefore, absence of fever does not mean absence of infection. They should stay
away from others during this time period even if they are taking antiviral drugs for treatment of
the flu. (See MU Extension Human Resources about sick leave policies for employees.)
Compiled by the MU Extension Community Emergency Management Program — October 2009
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Prepare Yourself and Your Family (Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior
Services: Ready in 3)
You can take easy steps to prepare yourself and your family to sustain yourselves if you have selfisolated or are taking care of sick family members. Being prepared for an emergency can greatly
reduce personal and family stress.
Step 1 – Stay informed about the situation and how it is impacting your community. As the flu
season develops, talk frequently with family, friends and co-workers about the local impact.
Listen for messages from local, state and federal public health officials and follow their guidance.
Educate yourself about prevention, and monitor the spread through the state and your community.
Step 2 – Make a plan. It may be you, your spouse and children or even an elderly parent that may
become sick. Develop a plan on how you can stay home to recuperate or take care of sick family
members. Communicate with your supervisor and/or your children’s school to know what they
are planning and their policies.
Step 3 – Prepare emergency supplies. If you have isolated yourself or family, you may not be able
to just walk out and get needed supplies, so stockpile a two-week supply.
Basic supplies include:
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Water — at least one gallon per person per day
Canned or dried food (including high-protein sources)
Household cleaning supplies (bleach, disinfectant sprays)
Battery-powered radio
Manual can opener
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Thermometer
Non-aspirin pain reliever
Paper and pencil to keep a record of symptoms and to jot down questions
Prescription medication(s)
First-aid kits
Extra bath and hand soap
Personal supplies include:
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Important family documents
Feminine hygiene products
Vision aids, such as glasses or contact solution
Dental supplies
Entertainment (videos/DVDs, books, magazines, music)
Compiled by the MU Extension Community Emergency Management Program — October 2009
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Baby supplies
Pet supplies
Special needs supplies, which could include:
o A list of prescription and nonprescription medicines, including dosages; keep extra
doses on hand if possible
o A list of allergies and other medical conditions
o Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries
o Extra wheelchair batteries or other special equipment
o A list of the brand/style and serial numbers of medical devices
o Copies of medical insurance, Medicare or Medicaid cards
o A list of doctors and phone numbers
o A list of emergency contacts and family members
o Phone numbers of close neighbors who can help
Roles of Government Agencies (CDC, WHO and MODHSS)
Even before the onset of the H1N1 pandemic, all levels of governments and the private sector
have been planning and bracing for a pandemic influenza. Public health agencies at the local, state
and federal levels have taken the lead for preparedness and response to seasonal or pandemic
influenza. All of these agencies are watching this pandemic event and working diligently to put
out sound information about the flu and prevention strategies. They are using every means
possible to reach out to the public to educate and inform them.
Role of MU Extension
Local health departments are the lead for programming and education. If you want to assist with
planning and public information or are considering offering programming, work with them.
At your discretion, you may download and share MU Extension publication EMW1020, The
Facts on H1N1 Flu, a two-page handout developed by MU Extension health specialists based on
CDC guidelines, at the beginning of programs to help promote awareness and reduce
misinformation and panic. Or you may wish to review its basic contents orally to assure
participants that we are following recommended prevention practices. You also may share this
handout with clients coming into your office.
Compiled by the MU Extension Community Emergency Management Program — October 2009
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