The global outbreak of a new strain of Influenza A virus subtype H1N1 prompted the World Health Organization to declare a worldwide pandemic in June 2009.
Pandemic H1N1 was first identified in April 2009 in Mexico and has since spread to other countries, including Canada and the United States. In the past several months, there have been a number of confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza in Hamilton.
Keeping our school communities healthy and safe is a priority concern of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board. During this pandemic, Board officials are in daily consultation with the City of Hamilton’s Public Health Services to ensure that measures are in place to minimize the risk of infection by students, staff and their families.
According to Public Health, there are practices that we can put in place to reduce our chances of getting sick with the flu, and to avoid passing it to others. These include good routine health habits like eating well, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly. Other practices include frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Good cough etiquette is also encouraged. This means covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or coughing into your sleeve. Used tissues should be thrown in the garbage right away followed by a thorough hand washing.
Since Pandemic H1N1 is most commonly spread from shared surfaces, it is important to keep these areas clean. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of shared surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, telephones, keyboards and counter tops will help to decrease contact with bacteria and viruses. It is also recommended that students and staff do not share food, beverages or personal items such as eating utensils, lip balm or toothbrushes.
Most importantly, urges Public Health, if you’re not feeling well, stay home. By staying away from school, you’ll be sure to get the rest you need and you won’t spread your germs to others.
Together we can work to minimize the spread of the H1N1 Influenza.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Program at 905 546-2063.
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Information Resources & Board Communications
Updates from Public Health Services
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The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board has been consulting on a regular basis with officials from the City of Hamilton’s Public Health Services to ensure that measures are in place to minimize the risk of infection by students, staff and their families. Information from Public Health Services will be posted here on a regular basis.
For more information, please visit the City of Hamilton’s website at www.hamilton.ca or www.hamilton.ca/pandemic.
A hotline manned by public health nurses has been set up to take your questions at 905 546-2424, Ext. 7970 or publichealth@hamilton.ca. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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