May 5, 2009 - The Health Unit has been receiving several calls from concerned employers regarding employees returning to work who have recently visited Mexico.

The Health Unit is recommending that any employee who has recently traveled to Mexico can return to work if he or she does not have symptoms of respiratory illness. Symptoms include headache, chills and cough followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle ache and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation.

“It’s business as usual unless the employee is experiencing flu-like symptoms,” said the Manager of Infectious Diseases, Darlene Binette.

“But, an employee who has a travel history to Mexico and is experiencing any of these symptoms should monitor their symptoms and contact their health care provider if their condition gets worse. And, they should not report to work until they have recovered.”

The Health Unit reminds the public to prevent getting and spreading infections by:

• washing their hands often, for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water, or by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Coughing and sneezing into their sleeve.
• Staying at home if they are ill to avoid spreading infections to others.

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