INFORMATION ABOUT SWINE FLU
April 29, 2009
Public Health
277 Victoria Street
5th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W2
Tel: 416-338-7820
Fax: 416-392-0713
dmckeown@toronto.ca
www.toronto.ca/health
Information for Parents About Swine Flu
Toronto Public Health is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to monitor the progression of the outbreak of swine influenza and specifically to investigate reports of possible cases in Toronto. The World Health Organization has raised the alert level for pandemic influenza preparedness and is calling on all countries and populations to participate in preventing the transmission of swine flu.
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a variant of seasonal influenza and contains parts of flu viruses from birds, pigs and humans.
Symptoms of swine flu are the same as seasonal influenza and include fever, headache, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, chills, and weakness or fatigue, and may include vomiting and diarrhea.
Influenza is transmitted from person to person via coughs and sneezes that release germs into the air where they can be breathed in by others. Germs can also be transferred by hands and on hard surfaces like counters and doorknobs.
Toronto Public Health will provide updates on the outbreak on a timely basis. Personal protective measures such as masks are currently not recommended for use by the general public and will be employed by healthcare providers who are treating patients according to the guidelines set out by the MOHLTC. For more information, visit www.health.gov.on.ca
What can you do to stop the spread of germs?
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and hot water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm
Stay home if you are ill
If you have recently travelled to Mexico and are exhibiting flu symptoms, contact your health care provider and make sure you mention your recent travel.
To get more information and local updates, please visit www.toronto.ca/health.
For information about travel, call 1-800-454-8302 or visit www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
For health-related questions, call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000
For general information on the swine flu, call the ServiceOntario INFOline 1-800-476-9708.
Dr. David McKeown
Medical Officer of Health
Toronto Public Health
Public Health
277 Victoria Street
5th Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W2
Tel: 416-338-7820
Fax: 416-392-0713
dmckeown@toronto.ca
www.toronto.ca/health
Information for Parents About Swine Flu
Toronto Public Health is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to monitor the progression of the outbreak of swine influenza and specifically to investigate reports of possible cases in Toronto. The World Health Organization has raised the alert level for pandemic influenza preparedness and is calling on all countries and populations to participate in preventing the transmission of swine flu.
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a variant of seasonal influenza and contains parts of flu viruses from birds, pigs and humans.
Symptoms of swine flu are the same as seasonal influenza and include fever, headache, cough, muscle aches, sore throat, chills, and weakness or fatigue, and may include vomiting and diarrhea.
Influenza is transmitted from person to person via coughs and sneezes that release germs into the air where they can be breathed in by others. Germs can also be transferred by hands and on hard surfaces like counters and doorknobs.
Toronto Public Health will provide updates on the outbreak on a timely basis. Personal protective measures such as masks are currently not recommended for use by the general public and will be employed by healthcare providers who are treating patients according to the guidelines set out by the MOHLTC. For more information, visit www.health.gov.on.ca
What can you do to stop the spread of germs?
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and hot water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm
Stay home if you are ill
If you have recently travelled to Mexico and are exhibiting flu symptoms, contact your health care provider and make sure you mention your recent travel.
To get more information and local updates, please visit www.toronto.ca/health.
For information about travel, call 1-800-454-8302 or visit www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
For health-related questions, call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000
For general information on the swine flu, call the ServiceOntario INFOline 1-800-476-9708.
Dr. David McKeown
Medical Officer of Health
Toronto Public Health