Below is a letter AuPairCare sent out to all host parents regarding the swine flu and their attention to this critical health emergency:

April 30, 2009
 
Dear AuPairCare Host Family & Au Pair:
 
The safety and well being of our au pairs and host families is of utmost importance to AuPairCare. As such, we would like to provide you with an update concerning the recent outbreak of the swine influenza A (H1N1: “Swine Flu”). As you may already be aware, the United States Government has declared a public health emergency and other countries are quickly following suit. 
 
Following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization, we would like to inform participants of the following measures they can take to safeguard themselves and other household members.
 
Avoid travel to Mexico. The CDC recently issued a travel advisory discouraging all nonessential travel from the United States to Mexico.  As such, AuPairCare recommends that au pairs refrain from travelling to Mexico for leisure purposes. This recommendation does not apply to those au pairs who are completing their programs and are schedule to return home to Mexico.
 
Follow basic preventative hygiene practices. Since prevention is the best way to protect oneself, please note the following tips:
 
Cover your nose and mouth with tissue or your elbow (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze. If using a tissue, dispose of it after use.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. Hand sanitizers that kill at least 60% of the germs are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid close contact with sick people. 
Seek medical attention if you are developing flu like symptoms or have reason to suspect you have been exposed to the swine flu virus. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include:
·         Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
·         Sore throat
·         Cough
·         Stuffy nose
·         Chills
·         Headache and body aches
·         Fatigue
 
Additional information about swine influenza can be found by linking to the following websites:
 
World Health Organization (WHO):
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
 
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about swine flu:
http://www.who.int/csr/swine_flu/swine_flu_faq.pdf
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
 
AuPairCare will continue to monitor the situation and will provide you with additional information as needed. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact AuPairCare at 1-800-428-7247. Thank you for your cooperation.
 
Sincerely,
AuPairCare