See also:
- CDC Influenza A(H1N1) Guidance for Cruise Ships
- OWWA issues Influenza A(H1N1) guidance
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The following material, excerpted from the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Interim Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Guidance for Airlines Regarding Flight Crews Arriving from Domestic and International Areas Affected by Swine Influenza, may serve as a useful secondary reference by OFWs deployed as flight crews.
Full text of the CDC guidance:
Interim Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Guidance for Guidance for Airlines Regarding Flight Crews
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Management of Passengers or Crew Members with Symptoms of Influenza
If a cabin or flight deck crew member or passenger is displaying signs and symptoms of an influenza-like illness (ILI) prior to flight, they should not board the aircraft.
If passengers or crew develop symptoms en route, they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, use tissues to contain respiratory secretions, dispose of used tissues in the nearest waste receptacle after use, and wear a facemask if tolerated to protect others.
Hands should be washed after contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated objects or materials.
Cabin and flight deck crew should be aware of the possible symptoms of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.
Minimize the number of personnel directly exposed to the ill person.
Separate the ill person from others as much as possible (at least 6 feet) without compromising flight safety. Have the ill person protect others by wearing a facemask, if it can be tolerated, to reduce the number of droplets coughed or sneezed into the air.
If a facemask can not be tolerated, provide tissues and ask the ill person to cover his or her mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Provide a plastic bag for proper disposal of contaminated tissues.
Personnel should wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water before tending to the ill person, and after handling garbage, touching commonly touched surfaces, contacting respiratory secretions or tending to the sick person.
Personnel should wash hands before removing a respirator and after removing gloves and a respirator.
Use waterless, alcohol-based hand gels when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled.
Personnel tending to the ill person or contacting potentially infectious materials should wear disposable impermeable gloves. Gloves are not intended to replace proper hand hygiene. Gloves should be carefully removed and discarded and hands should be cleaned immediately following activities involving contact with body fluids. Gloves should not be washed or reused.
Personnel having close contact with an ill person should keep their interactions with the ill person as brief as possible and may choose to wear a facemask or a N95 respirator on a voluntary basis. Workers at increased risk of severe illness from influenza infection should avoid people with ILI.
Dispose of soiled material, gloves, items contaminated with body fluids, and disposable respirators in a sturdy plastic bag that is tied shut and not reopened, and disposed of according to state solid waste regulations.
The flight deck crew should ensure that the aircraft air conditioning/ventilation system stays on until all passengers and crew have disembarked in order to maximize continued removal of virus particles from the cabin air.
Management of Crew Exposure After Flight Completed
Flight deck and cabin crew members and ground personnel who may have been exposed to a passenger or worker suspected of having novel H1N1 influenza should monitor their health for 7 days after the exposure. If they become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea they should immediately take the following steps:
- Stay home except to seek medical care; do not report to work. Workers should stay home for 7 days after their symptoms begin or until they are symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
- Notify their employer.
- Contact their occupational health service or personal physician.
- Inform the occupational health service, clinic, or emergency room before visiting about the possible exposure to influenza.
- Do not travel, unless it is critical to travel locally for health care.
- Limit contact with others as much as possible.
- When in a public place, or when others are present at home, protect others by wearing a facemask if available and tolerable to reduce the number of droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. If a facemask can not be tolerated, use a tissue to cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- If traveling away from home, notify their employer and request assistance in locating a health care provider.
