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UNIS-Hanoi’s response to the H1N1 Virus
UNIS Hanoi will be making every effort to ensure that information about the virus is readily available and will be taking steps to help prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. Many of these steps are perhaps already familiar to members of the UNIS community given the extensive media coverage H1N1has received and by the steps that many health care agencies have been promoting with regard to the virus.
As you may be aware many airports in countries around the world have been screening travelers who have above average temperatures which is an indication that the virus may be present. As far as we know, no UNIS staff members or parents have contracted the H1N1 virus or has been quarantined to date. Although, UNIS has had one reported student with the H1N1 virus as of Friday, 4 September 2009. All procedures required by the health officials were followed. We remind all member of the community to remain alert to the potential symptoms which may be indicative of the virus and to seek medical treatment as soon as possible should symptoms emerge.
In an effort to address the concerns UNIS has taken the following steps:
1. Students and adults are encouraged to wash their hands frequently with clean water and soap.
2. Students will be educated regarding preventative measures during assemblies and in classes the first week of school and reminded throughout the year to:
A. Wash their hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water. All elementary students wash their hands before snack and lunch.
B. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
C. Cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing
3. Teachers will reinforce the need for students to follow prevention measures that have been explained.
4. The Cleaning compounds used by UNIS cleaning staff have been changed to enhance cleanliness while maintaining safety.
5. Doorknobs, banisters, all areas in and around the toilets and all other public areas including the Canteen are being cleaned twice a day.
6. The UNIS campus including all classrooms will be professionally disinfected with Chloramine B until further notice. This is a safe yet effective method of helping to eliminate the flu virus.
7. Teachers and staff will monitor students and report to the school nurse any student showing flu symptoms.
8. UNIS has employed an additional nurse for the next few weeks to monitor the health of student, faculty and staff.
9. An area that is isolated has been established in building B7. Students which have the symptoms of H1N1 Flu will be sent to this room until they are able to be picked up by an adult.
10. Arrangements will be made for specialists from the Hanoi medical care community to train teachers, students and parents in effective flu prevention methods and answer any questions.
Useful Links
Center for Disease control (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
World Health (WHO) http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/
Dr. Barder’s correspondence about H1N1:
 August 7, 2009
August 12, 2009
September 4, 2009
Vietnamese version
Korean Version
Frequently asked questions surrounding H1N1 include the following. Please click on the question to get your answer.
- What is H1N1?
- Is H1N1 contagious?
- What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1in people?
- How does H1N1spread?
- What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
- How long can viruses live outside the body?
- How long can someone with the H1N1infect someone else?
- How long can a person infected with H1N1spread the virus to others
- What should I do to keep from getting the flu which may potentially be H1N1?
read the virus to others?
- Are there medicines to treat H1N1?
- What can I do to protect myself from getting H1N1?
- What should I do if I get sick?
- What are the emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention in children
- What are the emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention in adults
- Can I getH1N1influenza from eating or preparing pork?
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What is H1H1.
H1N1 formerly known as Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur.
In the current swine flu outbreak that began in Mexico in April 2009, cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses have been documented. Cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans. Cases have been reported internationally –Canada (confirmed), New Zealand, Israel, France etc...(suspected cases)-as well.
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Is H1N1 contagious?
This swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and can spread from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
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What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 in people?
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Cases of severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported in Mexico. Swine flu may cause a worsening of chronic medical conditions. Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. There have been no deaths reported as yet (27/4/09) among the cases detected in the US or outside Mexico.
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How does H1N1 spread?
Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Some people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses.
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What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something contaminated with respiratory droplets full of germs such as surfaces like a desk and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air.
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How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand washing is most important for prevention.
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How long can someone with the H1N1 infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
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How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
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What should I do to keep from getting the flu which may potentially be H1N1?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus. Avoid close contact with sick people.
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Are there medicines to treat H1N1?
CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for treatment and/or prevention of swine flu. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that keep flu viruses from reproducing, make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
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What can I do to protect myself from getting H1N1?
Follow the local situation in the news. There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu, however be sure to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your hands when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands afterwards. Wash your hands often with soap and water, for 15-20 seconds, especially after you cough/sneeze. You can use alcohol-based hand cleaners or gel sanitizers too. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza, CDC/WHO recommend that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with people to prevent infecting them.
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What should I do if I get sick?
If you have travelled to or live in areas with cases of H1N1 influenza and develop influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, you should contact your health care provider. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you become ill with any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
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In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash
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In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
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Can I get H1N1 influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating cooked pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
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