FLU EMPIDEMIC AND WHY PREVENTION IS IMPORTANT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

The flu has been making headlines everywhere. This years’ flu epidemic has been the worst in nearly a decade, now becoming more intense then the last serious outbreak in 2009 caused by the swine flu, or H1N1. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has stated that in the past month, the number of states categorized in the “high” levels of flu activity has nearly tripled. With almost the entire US being hit with widespread flu activity at the same time, Dr. Nick Sama, a member of the Central Palm Beach County Medical Board of Governors state, “This flu season has been challenging because this strain is especially virulent.” With this increase in flu activity, we have also seen an increase in hospitalizations, and federal health officials have stated the number of hospitalizations is the highest we have seen in eight years. With this number increasing, hospitals are becoming more crowded and anti-fluenza medications are running low. This flu epidemic can have a negative impact on businesses everywhere. According to the CDC, it is estimated that the flu is responsible for seventeen million workdays missed each flu season. It is estimated that the flu costs $16.3 billion in lost earnings every year. From employees calling out sick to employees coming in and working sick, both will have a negative impact on your business. “Employees who come to work sick thinking they can just tough it out may have good intentions, but they are also likely to spread their illness to coworkers. Employers should encourage their employees to utilize sick days to avoid spreading the virus throughout the office,” stated Laura Trosclair, of Mercantil Bank and Past Chair of the Central Palm Beach Chamber Board of Directors. Flu prevention is more important now than ever, and the CDC is urging people six months of age or older to get the flu shot. Good health habits and antiviral medications are additional good measures that can be used to fight the flu. Employers can be proactive in fighting the flu in a variety of ways, such as hosting flu vaccination clinics in the workplace, promoting vaccinations within your community, partnering with a provider or pharmacy, or offering free or reducedcost vaccines. Educating your employees and their families on the importance of vaccinations is a vital step in the prevention process. “By getting the flu vaccine, people reduce their risk of contracting the flu and those who do get it will spend less time out of work, as the vaccine reduces the recovery time as well as the time the individual would be contagious,” stated Dr. Adam Bromberg, a member of the Central Palm Beach County Medical Board of Governors. Learn more about flu prevention for businesses by visiting www.cdc.gov/business.