Shortly after reading this thread, we received the following email at work from our home office.
As you are no doubt aware, the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from Phase 3 to Phase 4. This move means the agency has determined that the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is capable of significant human-to-human transmission and indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable.
Currently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) had confirmed 64 cases in five states – California, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Texas – with many of those among students at a school in New York. The number of cases confirmed by health officials worldwide currently totals 106, most of them in the United States and Mexico, according to WHO. Other cases have been confirmed in Canada, Britain, Spain, New Zealand, Scotland and Israel, and investigations are taking place in other countries. While there is no vaccine for this strain of influenza, flu medications are proving effective against the virus.
Spread of this influenza is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads – from person to person through coughing, sneezing or by people touching something with flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. There is no evidence that this influenza can be transmitted through food – including raw or cooked pork.
While currently no cases of influenza have been reported in any of the areas where we have facilities in the U.S., health officials emphasize that simple hygiene actions are the most important precautions individuals can take to prevent the spread of germs and to protect their health. These include:
-Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after touching surfaces that could be contaminated or after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand wipes or gel sanitizers also are effective.
-Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands afterwards.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
-Do not share towels, cups or other utensils.
-Avoid crowded areas with poor ventilation.
Most importantly, if you have flu-like symptoms – such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, fatigue, etc. – avoid contact with others. Contact your personal physician and do not report to work. People with swine influenza are contagious as long as they have symptoms and possibly up to seven days following illness onset.
Back on topic, unless there's an outbreak in Vegas, I don't see why there should be any concern about being in Vegas. The only thing that might be of concern to folks would be flying in an airplane. Note the last item on the list and think "recycled air". This is not going to deter me from getting on an airplane if I have vacation plans to Vegas or anywhere else for that matter.
The situation at hand will make me more conscious of my surroundings & sanitation habits. If I see someone sneezing/coughing, etc, I'll avoid going in their general vicinity and even though I wash with soap & water after using the rest room, I'll be sure to carry hand sanitizer. I'll be mindful to use the sanitizer after touching a public surface (door to the rest room) or after exchanging something with someone else (giving my ticket to get on the plane, or exchanging money with a cashier). If I end up needing to fly while all of this is going on, I might be inclined to wear a mask on the plane but other than that, my plans will stay intact.
As you are no doubt aware, the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from Phase 3 to Phase 4. This move means the agency has determined that the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is capable of significant human-to-human transmission and indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable.
Currently, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) had confirmed 64 cases in five states – California, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Texas – with many of those among students at a school in New York. The number of cases confirmed by health officials worldwide currently totals 106, most of them in the United States and Mexico, according to WHO. Other cases have been confirmed in Canada, Britain, Spain, New Zealand, Scotland and Israel, and investigations are taking place in other countries. While there is no vaccine for this strain of influenza, flu medications are proving effective against the virus.
Spread of this influenza is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads – from person to person through coughing, sneezing or by people touching something with flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. There is no evidence that this influenza can be transmitted through food – including raw or cooked pork.
While currently no cases of influenza have been reported in any of the areas where we have facilities in the U.S., health officials emphasize that simple hygiene actions are the most important precautions individuals can take to prevent the spread of germs and to protect their health. These include:
-Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after touching surfaces that could be contaminated or after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand wipes or gel sanitizers also are effective.
-Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands afterwards.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
-Do not share towels, cups or other utensils.
-Avoid crowded areas with poor ventilation.
Most importantly, if you have flu-like symptoms – such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, fatigue, etc. – avoid contact with others. Contact your personal physician and do not report to work. People with swine influenza are contagious as long as they have symptoms and possibly up to seven days following illness onset.
Back on topic, unless there's an outbreak in Vegas, I don't see why there should be any concern about being in Vegas. The only thing that might be of concern to folks would be flying in an airplane. Note the last item on the list and think "recycled air". This is not going to deter me from getting on an airplane if I have vacation plans to Vegas or anywhere else for that matter.
The situation at hand will make me more conscious of my surroundings & sanitation habits. If I see someone sneezing/coughing, etc, I'll avoid going in their general vicinity and even though I wash with soap & water after using the rest room, I'll be sure to carry hand sanitizer. I'll be mindful to use the sanitizer after touching a public surface (door to the rest room) or after exchanging something with someone else (giving my ticket to get on the plane, or exchanging money with a cashier). If I end up needing to fly while all of this is going on, I might be inclined to wear a mask on the plane but other than that, my plans will stay intact.
