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NAHB Members Urged to Take Precautions Against Swine Flu
The recent outbreak and rapid spread of cases of swine flu across the U.S. poses a safety risk to home builders, their employees and subcontractors — especially those in states where cases have already been identified or whose workers have traveled to or from Mexico recently. As of May 4, there were 286 confirmed cases in 36 states and one death.
NAHB is urging members, home builders associations and their employees to learn how to recognize the symptoms of swine flu, and what precautions you can take to protect yourself.
The Red Cross has prepared Flu Checklists in English and Spanish versions that can be downloaded and posted on job sites.
Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure that you and your workers and families stay healthy:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people, so try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you do get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to reduce the chance you will infect them.
The CDC on April 27 issued an advisory recommending that individuals avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico.
Updates on the swine flu can be found on the CDC Web site or by calling the CDC at (800) CDC-INFO.
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