What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by
type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People
do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.
Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person,
but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained
beyond three people.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
It has been determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is
contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this
time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of
regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches,
headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and
vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness
(pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with
swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause
a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be
happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are
spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of
people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by
touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their
mouth or nose.

How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild
to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine
flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine
flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy
32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia
after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu
outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more
than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get
swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly
handled and cooked pork products is safe.

HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF?

CDC Poster currently in use in Linden, USA


-Cover Your Cough

Stop the Spread of Germs that Make You and Others Sick!
Serious respiratory illnesses like influenza, respiratory syncytial
virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS) are spread by:

Coughing or sneezing
Unclean hands
To help stop the spread of germs,

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 upper sleeve,
not your hands.
Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing

Wash with soap and water or Clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Keep Your Hands Clean

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to
avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash
your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However,
if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based
product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly
reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

When washing hands with soap and water:

Apply product to the palm of one hand
Rub hands together
Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are
dry.
When should you wash your hands?

Before preparing or eating food
After going to the bathroom
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the
bathroom
Before and after tending to someone who is sick
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After handling an animal or animal waste
After handling garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound
Your Personal Work Spaces

· Only assume your area is clean under the following conditions
· If you are the only one using the workstation/space
1 If ylways clean your hands before touching your face

· Personal disinfectants
· Hand sanitizer (wipes/solution) can be used instead of soap
and water for cleansing.
1 Rub hands together for at least 10-15 seconds

· Environmental Disinfectants
· Use surface wipes to clean surfaces that have been or will be
shared with a co-worker


Shared Work Space

· Assume the workstation/space is potentially contaminated
· Virus can survive for 24-48 hours
1 Clean the workstation/space before using it
2 Clean your hands before beginning work at the workstation/space
3 Always clean your hands before touching your face

· Skin Protection
· Use gloves while cleaning the workstation

· Environmental Disinfectants
· Surface wipes/disinfectant cleaner on work surfaces you and
others have used: phone, keyboard, mouse, etc.