H1N1 Flu (Swine Influenza) Information
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
- 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 hands cleaners are also effective.
- Cough into your sleeve around your elbow, not your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Wait 24 hours after the flu breaks before returning to work.
From the Centers for Disease Control
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The information in this section will help you prevent and manage any potential H1N1 flu outbreak in your lodging business.
H1N1 Influenza Management in Hotels - This 26-page lodging industry influenza management guide can assist hotel general managers and other industry professionals in developing their property's H1N1 flu plan. Additionally, this U.S. government business guide issued via www.flu.gov can also help with influenza plans for the hotel and business workplace.
Ecolab Webinar materials - These materials presented to the Sept. 29 Webinar attendees provide industry members with more information on H1N1 flu in the workplace and hotel-specific prevention tips and area sanitation. To listen to the Webinar and go through the slides, click here.
NEW! Find where to get a H1N1 flu vaccine shot near you.
Travel and H1N1 Flu - Visit this page for current travel warnings for U.S. and abroad on H1N1 flu
Today's H1N1 Flu Risks for Hotels and Travelers - Having a plan in place before the flu strikes is the best way to minimize disruptions at a hotel property
Action and Prevention of H1N1 Flu in Hotels - Go here for lodging industry information and planning resources, find links to public health advice on creating business pandemic plans, and download guides to help mitigate risks for guests and employees
As of December 2009, the disease continues to afflict more people each day in the United States. Because the outbreak is now affecting every U.S. state, President Barack Obama declared on October 23 the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak a national emergency. This declaration allows medical officials to bypass certain federal requirements in obtaining aid.
This current strain of influenza H1N1/A virus is suspected to have originated in North America. In late April 2009, a significant number of H1N1, or (swine) influenza type A, cases were reported to sicken people in North American cities. The disease appeared first in Mexico and its capital, Mexico City. Over the summer, the outbreak spread throughout the Southern Hemisphere. Since then, it has spread to other countries and continents, including the United States, triggering a pandemic outbreak of influenza, the first since 1968.
The vaccination program announced by the U.S. government in summer 2009 began the first week of October. The link provides more information about the program and who will be eligible for H1N1 flu shots.
Hoteliers may send business-specific questions about H1N1 flu and its management to DHSPandemic@dhs.gov, or contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at 800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 888-232-6348. E-mail questions to the CDC at inquiry@cdc.gov.
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