MONTEREY PENINSULA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

INFLUENZA PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS POLICY, INCLUDING H1N1

Seasonal Influenza

This refers to the periodic outbreaks of respiratory illness in the fall and winter in the United States. Outbreaks are typically limited; most people have some immunity to the circulating strain of the virus. A vaccine is prepared in advance of the seasonal influenza; it is designed to match the influenza virus most likely to be circulating in the community.

Epidemics and Pandemics

An epidemic is defined as an outbreak of a contagious disease that spreads rapidly and widely. A pandemic refers to an epidemic over a wide geographic area and affecting a large proportion of the population. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization declared a worldwide H1N1 Pandemic. President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 outbreak a national emergency on Friday October 23, 2009.

What is H1N1?

H1N1 is a virus (not bacteria) that causes a new type of influenza that has resulted in some serious illness and even death over the past few months.

The symptoms of H1N1 are fever between 99 degrees to 104 degrees that lasts for 3 to 8 days, aching muscles, cough, headache, joint aches, eye pain, tiredness, cold or having shaking chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.

The incubation period is 2-4 days after exposure.

Protecting against Influenza:

The National Center for Disease Control recommends vaccination against seasonal influenza. Seasonal flu vaccines are now available at local physician’s offices and will be offered through the Visiting Nurses Association. The seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely, however, to provide protection against 2009 H1N1 influenza. 

2009 H1N1 vaccine

This vaccine is currently in production and is now being made available. Although the amount of vaccine is less than current demand, it is expected that adequate supplies will be distributed over the next few months. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – it is intended to be used along-side seasonal flu vaccine. 

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel made up of medical and public health experts, met July 29, 2009, to make recommendations on who should receive the new H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.  While some issues are still unknown, such as how severe the flu season, the ACIP considered several factors, including current disease patterns, populations most at-risk for severe illness based on current trends in illness, hospitalizations and deaths, how much vaccine is expected to be available, and the timing of vaccine availability.

The groups recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine include:

Pregnant women

Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age

Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

All people from 6 months through 24 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in healthy young adults who often live, work, and study in close proximity.

Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza, such as cancer, liver and kidney disease, disorders that affect the immune system, and neurological and respiratory conditions.

Once the demand for vaccine for the prioritized groups has been met at the local level, programs and providers should also begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64 years. Current studies indicate that the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand among younger age groups has been met, programs and providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older. 

MPWMD Policy on Declared Influenza Pandemics

1) Employees who are sick from flu, with symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches and coughing, should stay home. Flu victims should not return to work until at least 24 hours after their fever has resolved. Due to crowding of medical facilities, doctor certificates stating the justification of absences will not be required during a pandemic unless an illness exceeds 10 days of leave.

2) Employees who are determined to be exhibiting severe symptoms will be sent home for their own protection and that of fellow staff. A determination of sickness can be made by the employee’s supervisor, Division Manager or the General Manager. This may include a fever exceeding 100 degrees. Forehead thermometers will be distributed for this purpose. Symptomatic employees who do not wish to have their temperature taken will also be sent home.

3) Sick leave will be advanced for up to 10 days for those regular employees who do not have adequate balances to cover their illness or that of their children.

4) Regular employees who have uninfected children at home due to school closures will be granted sick leave, vacation leave or leave-without-pay to care for them.

5) Requests for telecommuting may be approved for employees who must stay home as caregivers. Each request will be judged on its own merits, and must be submitted in accordance with the District’s Telecommuting Policy in the Employee Handbook.

6) Employees should wash their hands frequently with soap and water, or with hand sanitizer if there is no soap or water available. Hand sanitizer will be distributed throughout the offices at 5 Harris Court, the Carmel Valley Field Office and the Sleepy Hollow Fish Rearing Facility.

7) Work surfaces, especially the front desks in the Water Demand Division and Support Services, should be cleaned regularly with disinfectant wipes that are available through Support Services. Telephones, computer equipment, office equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces and should also be kept clean.

8) Employees are discouraged from using other staff members’ phones, desks, offices or work tools and equipment.

9) Employees should cover their coughs or sneezes with a tissue or cough or sneeze into their upper sleeves if tissues or not available. All employees should wash their hands or use a hand sanitizer after they cough, sneeze, or blow their noses.

10) Employees should avoid close contact with their coworkers and customers, maintaining a separation of at least 6 feet whenever possible. They should avoid shaking hands and always wash their hands after contact with others.

11) Surgical masks will be provided for employees for use with customers who are exhibiting flu symptoms. Additional surgical masks will be available at the front desks for employees and members of the public.

12) Employees should provide the public with tissues and trash receptacles and advise them of where to wash or disinfect their hands.

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