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Monday, October 26, 2009 Roles of Mosques in Preventing the Spread of H1N1 During Flu Epidemic By CM @ 9:53 AM :: 1356 Views :: Announcements, Mosque Foundation, A Message From the President, Featured Articles   Roles of Mosques in Prevention During H1N1 Flu Epidemic by Dr. Zaher Sahloul   By now most of us have heard or read about the spread of 2009 H1N1 (swine) Influenza that has affected tens of thousands of people worldwide. 2009 H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway. Swine flu, or Influenza N1H1, is a new strain of flu that can spread from human to human through inhalation of infected particles through breathing, sneezing and coughing. It can cause typical flu symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, sneezing, but also can cause serious problems like pneumonia and respiratory failure and even death. There are approved medications that may be prescribed for infected or exposed individuals. Illness with H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred. In seasonal flu, certain people are at high risk of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this 2009 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at high risk of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease. Young children are also at high risk of serious complications from 2009 H1N1, just as they are from seasonal flu. And while people 65 and older are the least likely to be infected with 2009 H1N1 flu, they are also at high risk of developing serious complications if they get sick. Contagious diseases spread faster in crowded areas because of close proximity of potential patients and people around them. Schools, work places, and Mosques are places where people are close to each other. During this time of Swine flu epidemic, it is imperative that worshippers follow certain guidelines to prevent the spreading of the flu and to minimize the risk of contracting the disease by devout worshippers. It is often said that a penny of prevention is much better than a million spent on treatment. Our Imams and Mosque leaders should advice the worshippers after each prayer and in Friday sermons to follow these guidelines. Dedicate part of Friday sermons and other public service announcements to talk about the prevention of contagious diseases, especially H1N1 flu in the flu season that starts from October until April. Encourage all community members to take two flu vaccines this season; the usual seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine was made to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. There are two kinds of 2009 H1N1 vaccines produced: a “H1N1 flu shot” that is given with a needle, usually in the arm; and the H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine given via a nasal sprayer. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is made in the same way that the seasonal flu shot is made. The U.S. government has purchased 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, so anyone who wants to get the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so. Stay calm and don't panic, most of the cases in the US are mild flu cases and treatment is available. Avoid shaking hands and hugging, and limit greetings to words of Assalam Alaikum. Minimize close gathering after prayer and give people their personal space. Wash hands with soap and water after prayer service and after Friday prayer. Don't touch your face or mouth after touching other people. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Cover your mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze. If you have fever, cough, sneezing or sore throat stay home and contact your doctor. Mosques should have hand cleansers available, if possible, near exit door. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs * (when soap and water are not available), tissues and other related items could help you avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious. It is good also to place these guidelines on your website and in your announcement board. We should be proactive in education and prevention measures. May Allah protect us all and heal the sick.

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