Parents with children attending Ottawa schools will be getting a letter from the city's medical officer of health advising them of precautions to take to protect their kids from swine flu.
Dr. Isra Levy said the best way children and adults can protect themselves from the virus is by washing their hands frequently and coughing or sneezing into their sleeves.
"Frequent hand washing, particularly before eating, really does make a difference, particularly after touching surfaces that might have been contaminated by somebody else who might have coughed," said Dr. Isra Levy on Thursday.
He also advised people to wash their hands after social interactions that involve touching, such as shaking hands.
"These are quite reasonable things to do, but frequent hand washing does reduce the spread of viruses, like flu viruses," he said.
If you do fall ill, health officials said it's important to stay at home until you've completely recovered from the virus.
Within the last two weeks, the City of Ottawa hasn't reported any new cases of swine flu. However, health officials are bracing for a second wave of the virus this fall.
So far, four swine flu-related deaths and 361 cases of swine flu have been reported in the capital.
Symptoms of the virus may include:
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath
- muscle aches
- fatigue
- severe headache
- sore throat
- lack of appetite
Residents who have general questions about the virus are asked to call the Eastern Ontario Health Unit at 613-933-1375 or 1-800-267-7120.
