H1N1 Virus

The District of Saanich is continuing to monitor and assess the risk posed to residents by the H1N1 virus. Saanich Staff are maintaining regular contact with representatives from VIHA, the Provincial Emergency Program and the Ministry of Health Services. Here are five simple, common sense precautions that can help safeguard everyone's health:

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
   
   
2. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue away immediately and wash your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
   
   
3. Wash your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from getting sick. When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers.
   
   
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. You can become ill by touching a surface contaminated with germs and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
   
   
5. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods, and avoid smoking, which may increase the risk of serious consequences if you do contract the flu.

The latest information on the H1N1 vaccine and the vaccination schedule for our Region can be found here.

You can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, 24 hours a day/seven days a week to speak to a nurse if you have more questions or are concerned about any illness/symptoms experienced by you or your children. To obtain up to date information and bulletins regarding the H1N1 Pandemic Influenza, please check the Vancouver Island Health Authority site.

In support of the Health Authority's recommendation to avoid contact with individuals who are sick, we would like to remind residents of the various municipal service delivery options available on-line.