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H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)

H1N1 – Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Where can I find out information about flu preparedness / guidance?
  2. Which criteria are being used to determine how York will act in response to H1N1?
  3. Who is in charge of directing activities on campus related to H1N1 or more extreme situations involving a pandemic influenza?
  4. What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
  5. Should I stop shaking hands with people?
  6. Where can I get information about how to protect myself from contracting the flu?
  7. What should I do if I develop flu symptoms?
  8. If I am sick and cannot attend class or exams, what should I do?
  9. What Health Services are available?
  10. What should I do to be prepared?

1. Where can I find out information about flu preparedness / guidance?

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2. Which criteria are being used to determine how York will act in response to H1N1?

  • York University will act in accordance with instructions issued by Toronto Public Health (which is guided by instructions provided by Health Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care).
  • York University has developed a Pandemic Influenza Plan that is aligned with the World Health Organization’s six phases of pandemic alert and which, although crafted for a more extreme influenza situation, is being used to guide the University response to H1N1. This planning approach has also been adopted by Toronto Public Health in its Pandemic Plan for the City of Toronto.
  • By definition, a pandemic is a disease that spreads out over a large geographic area affecting a large number of the population—it does not indicate the quality i.e. severity (virulence) of the disease.

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3. Who is in charge of directing activities on campus related to H1N1 or more extreme situations involving a pandemic influenza?

  • York’s emergency management group is supported by four sub-groups responsible for planning, logistics, operations and administration. The front-line response is led by an “incident commander” (York’s Director Security Services), who works closely with external emergency management agencies.
  • York’s Incident Management System (IMS) includes a decision-making body led by the University President, the VP Finance & Administration and also an emergency management body led by senior managers in key response areas such as Security, Communications, Occupational Health and Safety and Campus Services.
  • York University has adopted the Incident Management System (IMS) for command, control and coordination of a major emergency situation, which may include a pandemic influenza outbreak.
  • As a crisis management system, IMS has been adopted by most Ontario municipalities and all GTA emergency response groups including Fire Department, Police and Emergency Medical Services.

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4. What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

  • There are a number of things people can do to prevent or reduce the risk of getting H1N1 or other forms of influenza. Toronto Public Health recommends:
  1. Hand Hygiene: Clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol) hand sanitizer or soap and water, especially after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose. Proper hand washing procedures are posted in campus washrooms.
  2. Respiratory Etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If no tissues are available, cough or sneeze into the upper sleeve of your shirt (clothing).
  3. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
  4. Stay home if you are ill to avoid infecting others.
  5. Get vaccinated. While an H1N1 vaccine is still months away Toronto Public Health continues to recommend that people get a current flu vaccination for seasonal influenza.
  6. Social Distancing: At this time Toronto Public Health recommends that people distance themselves from others if they have experienced symptoms of illness (see question 7 below for H1N1 symptoms)
  7. Wearing of Masks: The wearing of masks is not recommended for healthy people. Visit this site for appropriate information on the wearing of masks.

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5. Should I stop shaking hands with people?

  • Hand washing is the single most important thing we can do to prevent the transmission of infection. Clean your hands frequently with soap and water and/or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer, containing at least 60% alcohol after touching shared surfaces or objects or shaking hands. If the pandemic intensifies, it may be recommended to stop shaking hands, hugging or kissing when greeting people.
  • As mentioned above, also avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose and, during an actual outbreak, be mindful of social distancing.

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6. Where can I get information about how to protect myself from contracting the flu?

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7. What should I do if I develop flu symptoms?

  • The symptoms described for H1N1 under the Toronto Public Health website are: fever, headache, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, weakness/fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or chills.
  • Subject to further public health advisories, students or employees who develop flu or flu-like symptoms should stay home and not attend work or class. Based on currently available information, the infectious period for H1 N1 is normally around 7 days but, in any event, you should be free of a fever for at least 24 hours (without the aid of fever-reducing medicine) prior to returning to work.
  • For For information on self care, see Toronto Public Health Fact Sheet on Taking Care of Yourself: what to do if you get the flu.

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8. If I am sick and cannot attend class or exams, what should I do?

  • As per normal, students should first consult with their course instructors if possible. If they are unable to do so while unwell, they should arrange a Deferred Standing Agreement upon their return directly with their course director as soon as possible.
  • Find information here about Deferred Standing.

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9. What Health Services are available?

  • Telehealth Ontario is a confidential telephone service you should call to get health advice or general health information from a Registered Nurse. The service is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, free of charge. This service will provide advice on symptoms, conducting a self-assessment, and steps to take. You can contact a Telehealth nurse by calling 1-866-797-0000 or TTY at 1-877-797-0007.
  • Monitor the Toronto Public Health website to identify if, at any point, it has established flu assessment centres which will offer drop-in service. Public health agencies of other jurisdictions may also develop similar supports.

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10. What should I do to be prepared?

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