California Workers Compensation Fund Alerts Employers and Employees as to Flu

The California Workers' Compensation Fund has taken the initiative of alerting employers and employees as to preventative measures that should be taken to prevent the spread of Swine Flu. 

"To protect California workers and businesses, State Fund advises employers to educate their employees about swine flu facts, symptoms, and preventative measures and to prepare their business operations should a pandemic outbreak significantly reduce their workforce or disrupt their business operation. "

As of today there are 403 reported cases and one death according to the CDC. Numbers are expected to rise as testing has now been shifted from the CDC to the States. California has 49 reported cases.

The novel influenza outbreak (H1N1) has given rise to concern on the impact what a pandemic would cause. The Department of Homeland Security has posted information that workers' compensation programs would probably become involved in responding to the emergency. NIOSH has issued an alert concerning the impact upon psychological and social workers comparing a potential pandemic to the 911 tragedy.