A/H1N1 (swine) flu, ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ and you
There are two things that will be increasingly uppermost in our
minds as we read more and more news about the worldwide outbreak of
Swine Flu, now being called A/H1N1, that threatens to become a
pandemic: what can I do to protect myself and what is being done by
others (governments, employers – including ƽÌØÎå²»ÖР– health care
facilities and so on)?
First, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT to remember the basic
precautions to take with any flu-like illness: wash your hands
frequently and thoroughly, try to cough or sneeze into your forearm
instead of your hands, and visit a health care professional if you
begin to exhibit symptoms of the illness. These sound like simple
actions, but they have proven effective in helping limit the spread
of the virus.
If you do feel you are ill and should stay home, please follow
normal procedures required for an absence from work or from missing
classes.
The number of reported cases in Canada will undoubtedly climb and
we will see cases here in Quebec and/or in Montreal. This should
come as no surprise and is not a cause for panic. So far, virtually
all cases outside Mexico have been mild cases of the flu that have
not required hospitalization.
Information on the federal government’s travel advisories can be
found at or at the
.
What else is ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ doing to cope with this situation? The
University remains in very close contact with public health
officials and our fellow Quebec universities to make sure we have
all the current information available so we can take whatever steps
are needed to minimize any effects in the ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ community. The
University is actively working to deal effectively with questions
and problems posed by this situation and how it might affect all
aspects of the University’s functioning.
You may be asked to help us as we deal with these things and we ask
that you please co-operate fully.
It is too early to know how widespread or how serious this outbreak
will become, so it is too early know what effects the flu outbreak
might have on the University’s operations in the coming weeks. We
will continue to keep you informed through notes such as these and
very visible announcements on the ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ home page,
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In the meantime, MORE INFORMATION about A/H1N1
(swine flu), including its symptoms and how to help avoid it, can
be found on ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ’s health site at www.mcgill.ca/health.
You may also address questions to info.mcgill [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Swine%20Flu%20Inquiry) .
A series of answers to Frequently Asked Questions is posted on the
health website and will be expanded
in the coming days.
More information for students will be circulated next week at the
beginning of summer classes.