BoardRoom Discussions

TO:  All Employees

Last Thursday, WHO declared a pandemic on A(H1N1) Influenza, and yesterday, DOH confirmed a community outbreak  in a village in Nueva Ecija.

What does it mean?

It does not mean that the virus is lethal and will kill it’s host. According to DOH, the A(H1N1) strain in the Philippines is mild and those infected get well within 3 days of medication.  It does mean, however, that the virus has spread globally and there is a risk that it will continue to spread.

What we can do to protect ourselves?

1. Practice social distancing (keep at least 2-3 meters distance between you and another person).
2. As much as possible, refrain from shaking hands and “beso beso”
3. Eat and rest well.
4. Drink plenty of fluids.
5. Personal hygiene.
   • Wash your hands often
   • Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes with your hands
   • Keep your work area, and home clean.
6. Whenever possible, cover your mouth/nose when in public places like LRT/Buses.

How do we protect others?

1. Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze.
2. Stay at home when you are sick, and consult a doctor

What are the symptoms to look for?

Seasonal Influenza:

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. Aching muscles
4. Exhaustion and feeling weak
5. Loss of appetite
6. Sore throat
7. Runny or stuffy nose
8. Dry cough

Pandemic Influenza:

While the first symptoms of pandemic influenza might be similar to seasonal flu symptoms, how the symptoms develop will depend on the nature of the specific virus. It is likely that most people will recover without needing medical attention, but the following symptoms may help you decide if you need to seek medical help:

1. Shortness of breath while resting or doing very little work
2. Persistent fever for 4 or 5 days
3. Painful or difficult breathing
4. Coughing up a lot of phlegm or bloody sputum
5. Wheezing
6. You are feeling better and then you develop a new fever or worsening cough with sputum
7. You feel very drowsy and others have difficulty waking you up or note you seem confused or disorientated before deciding to stay at home

As part of our precautionary measures, if you have fever and you manifest any of the following symptoms:

Please coordinate with your Manager and HR, then  proceed to our clinic. Stay at home, rest and see your doctor. Only medical practitioners can determine if your condition is that of influenza A(H1N1).

Please Visit These Links For Additional Help:

SMOKING and Influenza
Stopping Germs at Work
Clean Hands Save Lives
Pandemic Flu (a publication of UN)
DOLE Guidelines on the Prevention and Control Of Influenza In The Workplace

Stay calm. rest assured management is taking precautionary efforts to disinfect the workplace and flu vaccination will be administered as soon as the vials arrive.

For your guidance.