Special Notice - Mexican workers/Flu Pandemic
 
As you will have read there is a threat of a flu pandemic. The new flu strain (H1N1) (swine flu) most likely originated in Mexico and is likely to spread to other areas in the world including Canada. (A few cases were confirmed yesterday in BC and Nova Scotia.) Of concern is the fact that many nursery growers, greenhouse operators and landscape contractors hire workers from Mexico and that many of these workers will be arriving in the next few weeks to begin work. Those workers who have arrived recently are at risk.
 
Canadian and Mexican officials are scheduled to meet today, Monday, April 27, 2009, to assess whether it's safe for thousands of Mexican agricultural workers to travel to Canada in light of the outbreak.
  
At the time of writing, no travel restrictions had been place between Canada and Mexico and therefore employers must be diligent in monitoring arriving workers for flu-like symptoms.
 
Symptoms include a fever of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, body aches, ocular pain, coughing, headache, sore throat, respiratory congestion and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea.
 
There are simple measures to minimize the risk of being infected. These steps include simply washing your hands, controlling coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick, and talking to a health professional if you or your workers experience flu-like symptoms.

Click here to visit Public Health Agency Canada

Click here to read the article "Flu Outbreak Leaves Mexican Workers in Limbo" by the Globe and Mail

Click here to read the article "Canada Will Monitor not Bar Mexican Farm Workers" by the Globe and Mail