SUBJECT: H1N1 Virus

Recommended Steps for all Associations and Teams
As of October 30, 2009

For more information about UOIT’s Pandemic Plan, please click here.

For regional information, please click here.

To: Coaching Staff and Players,

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.

Team staff need to emphasize to players  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 head coach and Athletic Therapist.

Players are urged to keep  away from the team 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. Teams are encouraged to carry extra hand soap or hand sanitizer as not all facilities have this readily available.

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 labled 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. Towels should be removed from all benches. Players should not share towels, clothing, bar soap or other personal items such as razors.

8. 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.

See attachment as a useful tool.
You may also find additional information on the Health Canada
website ahttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php, or on your applicable
Provincial/Territorial sites.