Flu Season and H1N1
H1N1 Virus – Recommended Steps for all Associations and
Teams
There is presently much speculation
as to the impact that the H1N1 virus will have on Canadians over the next few
months. Organizations have been urged to stress to their members steps that
should be taken to prevent the spread of the virus, and to have plans in place
to alleviate any hardships that may come of the spread of H1N1.Hockey Canada has for many years had
specific steps in place to reduce the spread of any infection in the hockey
environment and we urge you to remind your teams of the following.
Team staff need to
emphasize to players and parents the need for total cooperation in all aspects
concerning hygiene, but specifically to the prevention of the transmission of
the H1N1 virus.
The following are recommended steps within the team environment:
1. Players should be urged to report all illnesses to their parents. Parents are urged to keep their children away from the hockey environment if they are showing any signs of infectious disease or virus. Sick players are encouraged to see their physician if showing signs or symptoms of the H1N1 virus, and to be fully recovered prior to returning to play.
2. Players should be encouraged to wash hands routinely and always after handling hockey equipment. Frequent hand washing with soap and water is one of the best preventions we can recommend.
3. Talk to your players about covering their mouths and nose when coughing or sneezing using their arm as opposed to their hands.
4. Advise players to try and not touch their own mouths or nose when in the hockey environment to reduce the chance of them passing an infection on to themselves.
5. Ensure all players and staff have their own water bottles labeled with names and players numbers. Sport drink bottles should be avoided as direct lip contact is possible when drinking.
6. Officials and coaches should avoid drinking from other players water bottles and have water readily available to them on their perspective benches.
7. Assist athletes in protecting their immune system by stressing they get sufficient sleep, that they do not over train and that they get proper nutrition.
More information on the H1N1 virus which we suggest distributing to your team's staff and parents for their information. You may find additional information on the Health Canada website at
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php, or on your applicable Provincial/Territorial sites.
