Human Swine Flu
Update: April 28, 2009 - As of 4:00 p.m., there are four confirmed cases of swine flu in Ontario. These cases are not in our region. All of the cases involved travel to Mexico. All have been mild and they are all recovering at home.
April 29, 2009
The Brant County Health Unit is working closely the Brant Community Healthcare System and local physicians in following confirmed cases of swine flu identified in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
About Human Swine Flu:
Human swine flu is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those found in regular human seasonal flu. Symptoms include:
- fever - fatigue
- lack of appetite - coughing
- sore throat - chills
- shortness of breath - muscle aches
- eye pain
What to do if you have flu-like symptoms:
Contact your health care professionals and explain your symptoms. Make sure to provide details about your travel history, especially in the week before the onset of your illness. If you don't feel well, stay home. Don’t go to work, school or social events when you are ill. This will help prevent spreading germs to coworkers and friends. Children should also stay home from school and daycare when they feel sick.
Personal precautions:
Wash your hands regularly.
If you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, use a hand sanitizer.
Click here for proper hand washing and hand hygiene tips: http://www.bchu.org/content/view/1276/582/. This website will open in a new brower window.
Practice common cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into your elbow or shoulder area.
Keep personal space if someone in your household is ill.
If you're not feeling well, stay home.
For more information, please go to the Brant County Health Unit’s website: http://www.bchu.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=565. This website will open in a new brower window.