New Updates about H1N1 (Swine Flu)

Heading into the flu season, the H1N1 virus, also known as the swine flu, is again a major concern for patients and employers. Due to the numerous questions we have received regarding the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, the H1N1 vaccine, and additional ways to protect against the virus, we offer employers and employees some helpful information about reducing the spread of the virus and staying healthy.

About the H1N1 (swine flu):

H1N1 (swine flu), like the common flu, is caused by Type A influenza and is a respiratory disease that originated in pigs. Humans can become infected with the virus by coming into contact with humans or pigs carrying swine flu. It is important to note that you cannot get swine flu from eating pork. This is an airborne illness, spread through coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms:

Those infected by the H1N1 virus (swine flu) may experience common flu symptoms such as fatigue, lack of appetite, cough, runny nose, fever over 100.4, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Vaccine:

The 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine is expected to be available in the fall. Currently, an Oct. 15 rollout date has been set, with only 45 million doses initially available in the first distribution. At that time, priority patients will be able to receive the vaccine first based on their higher risk of complications, according to regulations set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

These target groups include:

• pregnant women
• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• health care and emergency medical services personnel
• persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
• people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 (swine flu)because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems

Every state is developing a vaccine delivery plan. Vaccines will be available in a combination of settings such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments, health care provider offices, schools, and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces. Due to supplier productivity issues and decreased production, we cannot guarantee that vaccines will be available for all patients and employers in the first distribution.

For more information about Concentra's vaccine distribution, please see our H1N1 FAQ. Read More

Recommendation

If employees are not feeling well, and are experiencing fever and flu-like symptoms, they should leave work so as not to infect others, and seek medical attention for worsening symptoms. Those who present with flu symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with others. Read More

Prevention and available resources:

To lower your risk of getting the flu, or any other virus, you should:

• Avoid people who are ill
• If possible, practice social distancing (6 feet), including limiting access to public places, conducting phone conferences rather than face-to-face meetings, consider eating lunch at your desk rather than in large breakroom settings
• Keep work stations clean and sanitized
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use hand sanitizers
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing, then immediately dispose of the tissue in a trash receptacle
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Read More

Treatment

Patients with a mild case of the H1N1 virus (swine flu) should stay home from work or school, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, and use pain relievers to treat fever and body aches. Children under 18 should not be given aspirin if they have a fever. Because the majority of H1N1 cases are mild, the illness often subsides after several days without the use of antiviral medications.

The use of antiviral medications to treat H1N1 (swine flu) should be reserved for persons at a higher risk for influenza-related complications, who have been exposed to the influenza virus. Patients who do not fall into a high risk group or do not require hospitalization for H1N1 (swine flu) do not require antiviral medications for treatment or prevention. Just like treating a common cold, the overuse of antiviral medications for mild cases can cause the virus to become resistant to treatment and deplete medical resources intended for more severe cases.

Federal Minimum Wage Increase

If you have not already done so, attached is another copy of the The U.S. Department of Labor, Federal Minimum Wage increase posting of $7.25 per hour. Read More

PeopleTalk Archives

If you missed a previous release or simply want to review an article of interest, all our PeopleTalk newsletters have been archived. Read More

        

652 Businesses Nationwide Being Served with I-9 Audit Notices

WASHINGTON - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is launching a bold, new audit initiative as of July 1st by issuing Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to 652 businesses nationwide - which is more than ICE issued throughout all of last fiscal year. The notices alert business owners that ICE will be inspecting their hiring records to determine whether or not they are complying with employment eligibility verification laws and regulations. Inspections are one of the most powerful tools the federal government has to enforce employment and immigration laws. This new initiative illustrates ICE's increased focus on holding employers accountable for their hiring practices and efforts to ensure a legal workforce.

"ICE is committed to establishing a meaningful
I-9 inspection program to promote compliance with the law. This nationwide effort is a first step in ICE's long-term strategy to address and deter illegal employment," said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for ICE John Morton.

Employers are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 for each individual they hire for employment in the United States. This form requires employers to review and record the individual's identity document(s) and determine whether the document(s) reasonably appear to be genuine and related to the individual.

The 652 businesses being presented with a NOI today for a Form I-9 audit have been selected for inspection as a result of leads and information obtained through other investigative means. Due to the ongoing, law enforcement sensitive nature of these audits, the names and locations of the businesses will not be released at this time.

In FY 2008, ICE issued 503 similar notices throughout the year. In April, ICE implemented a new, comprehensive strategy to reduce the demand for illegal employment and protect employment opportunities for the nation's lawful workforce. Under this strategy, ICE is focusing its resources on the auditing and investigation of employers suspected of cultivating illegal workplaces by knowingly employing illegal workers. The nationwide initiative being launched today is a direct result of this new strategy. Read More

Social Security No-Match Rule

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)published a notice on August 19 proposing to rescind the Social Security No-Match rule that was issued by the Bush Administration in 2007. The rule was never implemented due to a lawsuit challenging the legality of the rule. Comments regarding the proposal to rescind the rule are due by September 18 and rescission of the rule is expected before the end of September. The Social Security Administration (SSA) stated that it would not issue any No-Match letters until the pending litigation had been resolved.

A rescission of the rule would resolve the litigation and allow the SSA to resume issuance of No-Match letters. With no rule in place, employers who receive a SSA No-Match letter will not be required to take steps to verify an employee's work authorization but we recommend that you review internal records to verify the information to determine whether additional verification of the employee's work authorization is warranted and lawful. If you have questions, check with us. Read More

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