Employers and the Workplace

Thank you for your interest and involvement in mitigating risk during this serious public health situation.

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Pandemic Influenza Information
PowerPoint Presentation - Pandemic Influenza Update – Updated September 28, 2009
This presentation can be used to share information on the virus and its prevention, as well as specific information for schools, child care settings, workplaces and faith-based organizations.

As with any influenza virus, we encourage you and those in your care to take the following steps to reduce spread:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.
Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest and exercise.
If you have recommended or required health and safety practices related to your facility or business, continue to adhere to them especially in high-traffic, public access areas.

You are also encouraged to be vigilant to the symptoms of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in humans are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include:

Fever greater than 100 degrees
Body aches
Coughing
Sore throat
Respiratory congestion
In some cases, diarrhea and vomiting

Individuals who experience the above symptoms should contact their physician, who will determine whether testing or treatment is needed.

How long are infected people contagious to others?

Infected people may be able to pass the virus to others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

People with 2009 H1N1 virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possibly for up to seven days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. Following your physician's directions and resting at home until fully recovered will not only improve your recovery but will also reduce the likelihood of infecting those with whom you work.

We can beat this. Your state and local public health professionals, together with Kansas health care providers, have been preparing and training for the arrival of a new flu virus in our communities for years. Working with colleagues at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we will monitor the activity of this new infectious agent and take all the necessary steps to curtail its spread.

Your role in this critical situation: to remain informed, to consult your health care provider if you become ill, and to follow the advice you receive on ways to protect your community. We will continue to update the KDHE H1N1 flu virus website and encourage you to use it as a resource for H1N1 flu virus information. Thank you all for your interest and support.

Questions? Contact Us

Governor's H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Summit (August 24, 2009)