Advisory to Employees on Influenza A (H1N1)

Table of Contents

1. What is Influenza – A (H1N1) and what is the current situation?

• Influenza – A (H1N1) is an influenza virus causing illness in people. First detected in

Mexico in April, 2009, it has spread more than 168 countries in the World
 • World Health Organization (WHO) has given Influenza A – H1N1 virus a pandemic
alert of Phase 6. At this time, WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza
pandemic to be moderate. This is based on scientific evidence as well as input from
WHO Member States on the pandemic's impact on their health systems, and their
social and economic functioning.
• The moderate assessment reflects that:
 Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical
care.
 Overall, hospitals and health care systems in most countries have been able to cope
with the numbers of people seeking care, although some facilities and systems have
been stressed in some localities.
• As of 31st July 2009, WHO has reported 1,62,000 laboratory confirmed cases of H1N1
across 168 countries. As of 4th August 2009, India has reported 558 laboratory confirmed
cases of H1N1.

2. What are the signs and symptoms of influenza-A (H1N1)?

The symptoms of H1N1 in people are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and
include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people
have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with influenza-A (H1N1).

3. How does influenza-A (H1N1) spread?

Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through droplets created while coughing
or sneezing by a person infected with the influenza-A (H1N1).
• Incubation period (period of time before symptoms appear) - 2-7 days depending on the
immunity of the individual
• Infectious Period - Infected person may be able to infect others beginning one day
before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick.
• Viruses can live for 2-8 hours or longer outside the body.
• Children, people above 65 years of age and people with pre-existing illnesses are more
susceptible as their immunity level is lower.
• Pork products are absolutely safe if properly cooked.

4. What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

• Maintain good immunity by getting enough sleep, drinking lots of water and eating
nutritious food
• Avoid crowded places unless necessary
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in
the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.
• If you have to be in contact with people having respiratory illness, try to keep good
distance (6 feet)
• Returning international travelers follow the screening procedures at the airport and self-
monitor themselves and their families for any symptoms after return

5. What is the treatment for Influenza A (H1N1)?

 Anti viral drugs (Tamiflu) can be administered to reduce the illness and prevent serious flu
complications. There is currently no vaccine available. Government of India has issued the
following testing guidelines for H1N1:

• Testing for H1N1 will only be done in designated government health facilities. Private
hospitals or labs cannot test patients for H1N1
• Any person with flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, cold and running
nose will have to go only to a designated government facility for testing.
• After clinical assessment, the designated medical officer will decide whether the
symptoms require sample collection and testing. Once samples are collected, the patient
will be allowed to go home.
• The sample of the suspect case will be sent to the notified laboratory for testing. If tested
as positive for H1N1 and in case the symptoms are mild, the patient will be informed and
given the option of admission to hospital or isolation and treatment in his/her own home.
• In case the patient opts for home isolation and treatment, he/she will be provided with
detailed guidelines and safety measures that need to be strictly adhered to by the entire
household of the patient.
• The family will then have to provide full contact details of the entire household. The
household and social contacts of the infected patient will then be administered with a
prophylaxis case of Tamiflu
• If the government designated doctor prescribes sample testing, please inform your PM
and HR partner immediately of the contacts made in office.
• Testing Centers in Bangalore
 Victoria Hospital – 26703284
 Lakeside Hospital – 25366725
 Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases - 26632634
• Testing Center in Hyderabad
 AP Chest Hospital – Dr Prasad - 9849902995

6. Monitoring the current situation

• http://www.mohfw.nic.in/SWINEFLU.htm - Ministry of Health website has information

on daily press releases of confirmed H1N1 cases detected at international entry with
flight details, list of isolation facilities and nodal officers in various cities.
• GoI Outbreak Monitoring Cell – 011-23921401
• http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/ - WHO website on the latest situation
• http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ - Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
updates
• http://www.who.int/csr/don/h1n1_20090731_weekly.png - List of affected countries as
of 31st July 2009

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