Katimavik is committed to safeguarding the health of employees, participants and partners. That is why we take the prospect of a Canadian flu epidemic such as A H1N1 very seriously. To date, there has been no reason for alarm, but certain preventive measures are nevertheless called for.

First of all, hand washing with soap and water is a very simple way to reduce the spread of the virus. It is also recommended to cough or sneeze into the elbow or upper shoulder rather than into the hand. These hygiene practices are also effective in preventing the spread of many other infections.

In the case of a potential pandemic, each regional office will implement its own action plan intended initially to monitor the progress of the pandemic in that region. Head Office will communicate any relevant information on the subject as it becomes available. For the latest information, we invite you to consult the Katimavik website regularly.

Should the flu begin to be spread from person to person, it is possible that, in exceptional circumstances, some houses or projects would have to be shut down. Any decisions to shut down will be made in consultation with regional public health authorities, the director of the affected region and Katimavik’s director general. Only notices from these authorities would warrant the shut-down of a Katimavik house.

Available resources

• For general information about Influenza A (H1N1) and to find out more about symptoms and flu prevention, go to the official Health Canada Influenza A (H1N1) website at http://www.fightflu.ca
  
  
• For all information relating to the Katimavik strategy to contain the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, consult the “News” section of the Katimavik website at http://www.katimavik.org/News/index/pageId/1

** Here is a link for posters to be printed out and posted in every Katimavik Office and house: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/tools_outils-eng.php


*** Here are the links to each province’s health posters and information:

NEW BRUNSWICK:
http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/Promos/Flu/index-e.asp

NOVA SCOTIA:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/cdpc/h1n1-influenza.asp

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND:
http://www.gov.pe.ca/health/index.php3?number=1021139

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR:
http://www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/hsi/default.htm

QUEBEC:
http://www.pandemiequebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/news/news.shtml

ONTARIO:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ccom/flu/default.aspx

MANITOBA:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/sri/index.html

SASKATCHEWAN:
http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/H1N1-surveillance

ALBERTA:
http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/influenza-H1N1.html

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES:
http://www.hlthss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/communicable_disease_control_program/h1n1.htm

BRITISH COLUMBIA:
http://www.gov.bc.ca/h1n1/

YUKON:
http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/programs/health_officer/swine_influenza/