Monsanto ~ H1N1 Flu Information ~ Monsanto-Specific H1N1 Flu Q&A

A. As a global company, Monsanto is prepared to respond aggressively to manage the situation, to protect its employees and its business operations. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic due to H1N1 on June 11, 2009. Monsanto believes all employees should have knowledge and be prepared to take action to protect themselves and their families in the event H1N1 influenza has a second wave and the number of cases grows. Our health professionals have categorized all Monsanto’s sites Pandemic Level of activity at level 3. Level 3 is when companies, organizations and individuals make preparations for undertaking aggressive action. There are a few company sites that have gone to level 4 and even to level 5 in the last few months. These sites and levels other than level 3 are reviewed for all Monsanto sites on a weekly basis.

2. Have any Monsanto employees become ill from H1N1 flu?

A. have been several confirmed reports, fortunately all of them recovered.

3. How is Monsanto responding?

A. Monsanto preparedness teams of environment, safety and health (ESH) people, security people, manufacturing, the company’s commercial organization and appropriate corporate staffs are coordinating our preparation and response. These teams, located in all Monsanto regions, are reporting directly to the Monsanto executive team.

4. What travel restrictions have been imposed for Monsanto employees?

A. There are currently no H1N1-related travel restrictions. Any global meeting restrictions have also been lifted. Nevertheless, keep in mind the following: virus activity may demand review and changes on short notice, and organizers of such meetings should offer participants access to medical care while attending these meetings.

However, as with any influenza virus, there are people who are at higher risk to develop complications when affected by H1N1. These include chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), neurologic, neuromuscular or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus); people who have suppressed immune systems caused by, for example HIV; pregnant women; those younger than 24 years of age.

All employees, regardless of locations, should continue to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water often. If you develop symptoms during or after travel, seek medical care.

When traveling to countries where access to antiviral medication is in question, it is advisable for you to carry your own. This will be prescribed to all business-related travelers.

5. How serious are the symptoms associated with this strain of swine flu?

A. The disease has been mild. Generally, the symptoms include fever higher than 38ºC (100.4ºF), cough, sore throat, body and joint aches, chills and sweats, extreme fatigue and headache. Symptoms also can include vomiting or diarrhea and generally last seven days. Monsanto urges employees to contact their physicians if they or their family members experience these symptoms.

However, there are groups at high risk to develop medical complications when infected by H1N1. These are:

People with Medical Conditions
- Chronic pulmonary (lungs including asthma)
- Cardiovascular (heart & blood vessels except hypertension)
- Renal (kidney), Hepatic (liver), hematological-blood (including sickle cell disease)
- Neurologic and Neuromuscular (Epilepsy, Parkinson’s)
- Diabetes
People who have suppressed immune systems caused by, for example, cancer therapy, certain medications or HIV
Pregnant women
People younger than 24 years
Severely Obese people

6. How long can someone with this disease transmit it to others?

A. It can be transmitted 1 day before symptoms appear and for up to 4-5 days after the symptoms have appeared. The virus is transmitted by droplets in the environment originating from infected persons. These droplets are produced by coughing and sneezing. Another source of contamination is the droplets deposited in surfaces that then are touched by people and brought to the nose, mouth and (less frequently) eyes.

7. How has Monsanto changed its business operations to manage this situation?

A. Monsanto initially suspended travel to and from Mexico and stopped all but business-critical travel internationally.

Monsanto also advised its employees in Mexico to take precautions to avoid infection by avoiding large crowds, limiting physical contact with others, avoiding public transportation and using proper hand washing techniques. They also should follow local public health recommendations.

There are currently no H1N1-related travel restrictions. Quarantine is no longer necessary for those traveling back and forth from Mexico. Similar measures were also applied in Argentina.

Monsanto will be ready to use these measures if the particular outbreak circumstances so require.

8. What should Monsanto employees do if they suspect they may be suffering symptoms of influenza?

A. See a physician immediately.

Notify their supervisor if H1N1 is suspected, follow attendance advice—stay away for 7 days from the beginning of symptoms, longer if symptoms persist and are advised by attending medical care provider.

9. Have other Monsanto sites besides Mexico taken actions to manage the possibility of a H1N1 flu outbreak?

A. Regional efforts were implemented at all Monsanto sites as a precaution. Several counties in the Southern hemisphere experienced outbreaks in the recent past (Australia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil). Countries in the tropics did as well (Thailand and Puerto Rico).

The Monsanto sites in the affected countries did well due to an early and well-implemented preparedness and employee protection program.

10. How should employees protect themselves from contracting or spreading H1N1 flu?

A. There are several everyday actions people can take to stay healthy or keep others from getting sick. They can cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, throwing the tissue in the trash after use. They can wash their hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are effective. They can avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread in that way. Also, they can avoid close contact with sick people because influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

The best precaution to take is having influenza immunization. Seasonal vaccine is available now and is very useful in preventing the seasonal influenza and its complications. People at high risk should also receive vaccines to help protect them from pneumonia. Finally, in the next few weeks the H1N1 vaccine will be available. This will be offered initially for people at high risk. Please keep informed about availability and access to the H1N1 vaccine and make all possible efforts to obtain it.

11. How else should people remain away from an infected individual to avoid contracting the virus when at level 4 or higher?

A. In general, do not shake hands, hug or touch others to avoid coming into close contact with an individual who might have the virus. Try to keep at least two meters (approximately six feet) between yourself and others. If cases of H1N1 flu occur in your community, avoid face-to-face meetings. Use email, telephone calls and video conference to conduct necessary business. When at level 5-6, avoid in-person meetings. If they are necessary, choose a large meeting room. Set up systems for interacting with clients and vendors electronically. If you are at high risk to develop complication when infected by H1N1, avoid traveling on business, work from home or work non-traditional hours to avoid crowding at the workplace. Also avoid public transportation.

Monsanto work sites will make specific recommendations as it becomes necessary.

12. What cleaning agents would be effective in preventing the spread of influenza virus?

A. For hard surfaces, household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) can be used, a solution of one part bleach to 50 parts of water (one-third cup per gallon of water).

For disinfection of material contaminated with blood or body fluid, use a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water. Alternatives to liquid bleach include granular chlorine (dilute according to manufacturers’ instructions) and alcohol (choose isopropyl at least 70 percent or ethyl alcohol at least 60 percent).

13. Are there medicines to help people recover from H1N1 flu?

A. There are no vaccines to combat this influenza, but expect to have access to H1N1 vaccine in early November. The antiviral medications Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) have been shown to be effective, particularly when taken by persons at high risk and used within the first 48 hours after symptoms appear. Many people recover without using these medications, however.

14. Will previous flu shots protect from the H1N1 flu variety that has been detected?

A. No. Vaccines are effective only against the variety of influenza for which they were developed. Fortunately, a vaccine specific against H1N1 will be available in the U.S. and other countries by October.

15. What are warning signs there is an urgent need for medical attention for those suffering from H1N1 flu?

A. For children, the signs include fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or not interacting, being so irritable the child does not want to be held, flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough, and fever with rash.

In adults, the warning signs are difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, and severe or persistent vomiting.

16. Can you get H1N1 flu from eating pork?

A. No. This type of influenza is spread from human to human through coughing and sneezing of infected people.

17. How does Monsanto determine its alert levels for a pandemic?

A. Monsanto has developed an alert level that not only considers transmission of the virus but its severity as well.

The alert levels are: Level 3 focuses on getting personnel and the sites ready to respond to H1N1. Level 4 applies necessary steps to increase hygiene and prepare for social distancing and worker H1N1 symptoms self-assessment. Finally, levels 5-6 are when the disease is very easily transmitted and is low severity. The focus here is to mandate screening, social distancing and ensure symptomatic persons remain off work.

18. I heard surgical and/or dust masks cannot prevent the virus from infecting a person. If this is so, why are we recommending them to our workers and families?

A. In areas with confirmed human cases of H1N1 influenza virus infection, the risk for infection can be reduced through a combination of actions: social distancing, personal hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) – namely facemasks and/or respirators. No single action will provide complete protection, but together these actions can help decrease the likelihood of transmission.

Whenever possible, people should avoid crowded settings and close contact with people who might be ill. In the event that this cannot be avoided, the use of appropriate PPE is strongly recommended.

Specifically, both the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend the use of surgical masks for lay people classified as high risk to develop complications when affected by H1N1, and N95 masks for medical responders. Masks also work by serving as a physical barrier by limiting the spread of contaminants from one’s exhaled breath when infected by the flu. Finally, masks are to be provided to workers performing tasks where social distancing cannot be offered at Level 5 or above. While not 100% effective, this is the best that can be offered at this time.

19. What should employees who may be part of high-risk populations do to prepare?

A. As with any influenza virus, there are people who fall into high-risk and higher-risk categories. These include children under 5 years old, the elderly, adults with chronic illnesses and pregnant women, among others. If you fall into one of the adult categories, Monsanto highly recommends you do the following:

Get advice from your health care provider
Follow all of the protective measures described in the various documents on this site
If your country is classified level 4 or higher, avoid crowds
Discuss your situation with your people leader to determine proper procedures and to avoid being classified as an "essential employee" for crisis management purposes. (We think of all of our people as essential for the success of our business, but to manage a health crisis effectively, Monsanto will classify some employees as "essential," and they will have defined responsibilities for the duration of the crisis.)

If you have family members who fall into the high-risk categories, make plans ahead of time to provide for their care and work with your people leader on what to do for work if you will have to be a caregiver. Also review the information in the family care pamphlet and the self-assessment checklist.

20. What should I do if a co-worker develops H1N1?

A. If you are at high risk to develop complications when infected by H1 N1, you should check with your doctor as soon as possible and follow the recommended steps. Make sure you communicate this to your supervisor.

All other employees should:

Continue to practice all hygiene measures (handwashing, protect cough and sneeze, etc.)
Social distancing
Check temperatures morning and evening
Complete H1N1 self-assessment forms
If suspecting Influenza like illness communicate to manager, seek medical care, follow all other recommendations

21. If I have been assisting with the care of a sick dependent that is suspected or confirmed to have H1N1 illness am I required to stay home from work?

A. The health of you and your family is important to us. If you feel you need to stay home to assist with dependent care, reach out to your supervisor.

We base an individual’s ability to work on their symptoms. We would recommend caregivers practice hygiene and prevention steps and monitor their symptoms very closely, including frequent temperature checks. Please keep the H1N1 symptom self-assessment form handy as a reference.

If you are symptom-free, you can come to work. Please consider your co-workers and their families. If you feel like you may be developing symptoms or you have a fever, you should notify your supervisor and leave the workplace to seek care. Follow your supervisor’s guidance on return to work.

22. If the concern is H1N1 vaccination and care, why should I take the seasonal vaccine as well?

A. H1N1 is an added concern we hope all of you address. Unfortunately, the risks associated with seasonal flu are still present and are likely to affect us all. This was demonstrated during the last winter and spring; we had a good seasonal flu, and when we thought it was, over H1N1 appeared. This can happen again. Get both flu shots to offer the best protection for you and your family.