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Inova Workplace Health Services E-Newsletter - Fall 2006

October 1, 2006
Prepare Now to Fight the Flu
In an ever-changing business environment, one certainty remains: From October to March, flu makes an impact on Washington area workplaces. As disruptive as it is when large numbers of employees become ill—it can take up to two weeks to fully recover--workers may then need additional time off to care for infected household members. Also, complications arising from the flu can significantly increase the number and cost of health insurance claims.

The arrival of autumn is traditionally the time to begin fighting the flu. This year, with intermittent outbreaks in some countries of avian flu among poultry and wild birds, and some human cases as well, it’s more essential than ever to get prepared.

Avian flu is caused by a strain of a highly contagious flu virus (influenza A) that occurs mainly in birds. Avian flu usually doesn’t easily infect people. Most human cases have resulted from direct or close contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. Rare cases of human-to-human spread may have already occurred, yet there is no evidence of transmission beyond one person.

All flu viruses have the ability to change—that’s the reason people need a flu shot annually-- and there is little or no immunity to Influenza A in the human population. Therefore, at some point avian flu could infect humans, spread easily from person to person and cause a pandemic. Continually updated information about avian flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is available at www.cdc.gov.

Promote immunization
“Although there is no vaccine against avian flu, a (human) flu shot is the single most important way to reduce the incidence of human flu and, should it become necessary, to assist public health officials in defining and limiting the spread of avian flu,” says Allan Morrison, MD, a specialist in infectious diseases and co-chair of Inova Health System’s disaster preparedness team. “An annual flu shot confers such substantial immunity against human flu that people who develop severe influenza-like illness symptoms despite having been vaccinated that year will require vigorous surveillance to halt any possible spread of avian flu.”

Unlike in previous years, there’s reason to be optimistic about the human flu vaccine supply. On September 5, federal health officials announced that approximately 75 million doses of flu vaccine—a near-record amount-- will be distributed by the end of October.

Making vaccination convenient and affordable by sponsoring a workplace flu shot clinic directly benefits employees, employers, and their household members, and supports the public health initiative to vaccinate as many people as possible. Employers with fewer than 30 participants can still help protect their employees and achieve a cost-saving by purchasing certificates redeemable at Inova Health System public flu clinics located throughout the Washington area. The schedule of public flu clinics will be available at www.inova.org.

Employers should remind workers that individuals considered at high risk for complications from the flu (e.g. people with diabetes and women who are pregnant) will want to discuss the need for early immunization with their health care providers.

Reduce the spread of flu
No flu vaccine is 100 percent effective in every person. And for medical, religious or other reasons, some individuals won’t get vaccinated. Therefore, it’s also essential to contain flu viruses as much as possible.

Flu spreads mainly in droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. People may also become infected by touching their nose or mouth after handling something with flu viruses on it. According to the CDC, it is possible to infect others a full day before symptoms develop.Therefore, people often unwittingly pass the flu to others before they even know they are sick.

Employers can play a vital role in reducing the spread of flu:

• Make an ample supply of tissues readily available.
• Encourage employees to discard used tissues immediately.
• Provide antiseptic wipes for use on hard surfaces.
• Remind employees to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
• Remind employees to eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.

“Thorough hand washing, that is using soap and water to work up a good lather, and rubbing hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds before rinsing well and drying--is the most important link in breaking down the chain of transmission,” Dr. Morrison says. “In lieu of soap and water, evaporative alcohol-based hand washes are also effective.”

Posters that remind employees of these simple, yet effective, precautions are available for downloading at www.cdc.gov/germstopper/materials.htm.

Encourage telecommuting
‘Presenteeism,’ far more than absenteeism, can impact the workplace through decreased productivity, increased risk for injury and the likelihood of infecting others. Where appropriate, telecommuting can play a significant role in minimizing disruptions and keeping businesses running at or near peak efficiency during the flu season. “Now is the time to determine how key employees can perform their duties from home or an alternate location,” Dr. Morrison says. “Employers will want to be able to implement their plan on very short notice.”

These tips can help employers prepare for telecommuting:

• Publicize guidelines for exercising the option
• Ensure employee access to the requisite hardware, software and materials
• Establish protocols for accessing intranets and company networks from home
• Establish protocols for communication and reporting

Most importantly, supervisory staff can set a good example by staying home with the flu.

Take action today to schedule a workplace flu clinic or purchase flu shot certificates. Visit www.inova.org, and click on Workplace Health, or call 703-204-3339.

Articles are written by professional journalists, who strive to present reliable health information. They are not intended to be a substitute for medical care and advice.