Environmental Health Services Section
H1N1 Novel Influenza: Information for Food Service Operators

H1N1 Nueva Influenza: Información para Operadores de Servicio de Comida

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H1N1 Novel Influenza: Information for Food Service Operators (PDF: 95 KB/1 page)

What is H1N1 novel influenza (formerly known as swine flu)? | What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 novel influenza? | How does H1N1 influenza spread? | What can I do to protect my customers, my employees, and myself from getting sick? | What should I do if I get sick? | Can I catch H1N1 Novel Influenza from eating pork? | Posters and other tools | Useful links & phone numbers

What is H1N1 novel influenza (formerly known as swine flu)?

H1N1 novel influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. H1N1 is a certain kind of influenza that can cause infection in humans.

What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 novel influenza?

The symptoms are similar to seasonal flu:

• fever >100°F
• cough
• sore throat
• stuffy nose
• in some cases diarrhea and vomitting

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How does H1N1 influenza spread?

• When a person with flu coughs or sneezes.
• Touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

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What can I do to protect my customers, my employees, and myself from getting sick?

• Send ill employees home
• Clean your hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, if possible.
• Stay healthy: eat nutritious foods, get enough sleep and exercise.

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What should I do if I get sick?

• If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, and stuffy nose, you should:
• Call your healthcare provider to determine if you need influenza testing or treatment.
• Don’t work while ill. Stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
• Report any illness to your manager. Managers: keep a log of employee illness.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze. Throw the used tissue in the waste basket.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

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Can I catch H1N1 Novel Influenza from eating pork?

No. Pork products are safe to eat, as long as they are handled and prepared properly.

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Posters and other tools:

• Employee Illness Log (PDF: 29 KB/1 page) (to keep track of employees calling in sick)
• Keep Yourself Safe Poster (foodworker illness awareness posters)
• Cover Your Cough (to stop the spread of germs)
• Handwashing Posters:
  • Be A Germ Buster
  • Handwashing with a Nail Brush

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Useful links & phone numbers:

• MDH Environmental Health Services: http://www.health.state.mn.us/ehs
• CDC: www.cdc.gov
• FDA: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm153285.htm
• USDA: www.usda.gov

For restaurant specific questions speak to your local health inspector(PDF: 172 KB/26 page) or contact an MDH District Office at:

• Bemidji - 218-308-2100
• Duluth - 218-723-4642
• Fergus Falls - 218-332-5150
• Mankato - 507-389-2501
• Metro - 651-201-4500
• Rochester - 507-285-7289
• St. Cloud - 320-223-7300

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For questions about this page, please contact the The Partnership and Workforce Development Unit at health.foodlodging@state.mn.us or 651-201-4500.