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Dear Members,

SWINE FLU UPDATE

The Company and the Union are continuing to monitor the Swine Flu outbreak as it pertains to the airline and our crews.

The Company is continuing to contact each crew member prior to departure for flights to destinations in Mexico and informing them of precautions necessary to protect crew members from possible infection. (See Questions and Answers Below)

In addition the Company is taking the following precautions:
-- All dry goods are being "roundtripped" from the U.S.
-- Any food scheduled for service on Mexico segments is also being "roundtripped"
-- Caterers in Mexico are taking extra sanitary precautions
-- Any aircraft that RON in Mexico will be given extra cleaning
-- Agents in Mexico are performing visual observations of passengers and referring any passengers who appear ill to airport health officials
-- RON properties have Doctors on staff or on call (there are currently no East trips that RON in Mexico City MEX)

In addition, the Company is continuing to performing the following action implemented over the weekend:
-- Ensuring gloves are provisioned on all flights to Mexico
-- Ensuring no aircraft with inoperable potable water systems will be dispatched to Mexico
-- Provisioning Purell hand sanitizer wipes

As news reports indicate, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is closely and proactively monitoring the situation. The CDC continues to stress the importance of universal precautions, particularly hand hygiene. Neither the CDC nor the United States State Department have issued travel advisories for Mexico at this time.

For more information you may access the CDC website at the following address: www.cdc.gov

We will update you as the situation changes.

Thank you,

Mike Flores, President
The US Airways Master Executive Council
AFA-CWA

~~~~~

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Swine Flu & You

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.

Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?

CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How serious is swine flu infection?

Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

How do you catch swine flu?

Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:
-- Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
-- Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
-- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
-- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
-- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
-- If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in San Diego County or Imperial County California or Guadalupe County, Texas and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
-- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
-- Bluish skin color
-- Not drinking enough fluids
-- Not waking up or not interacting
-- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
-- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
-- Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
-- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
-- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
-- Sudden dizziness
-- Confusion
-- Severe or persistent vomiting

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

More information on swine flu can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/swine, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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www.afausairways.org

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AFA Local Numbers
 
Council 41 DCA 703-212-8090
Council 69 BOS 781-289-8454
Council 70 PHL 215-492-0840
Council 82 LGA 315-736-3483
Council 89 CLT 704-527-0325

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US AIRWAYS Benefits Information 800-872-4780

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