As Distributed By Baseball Ontario:
Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pandemics
Influenza-like Illness
Influenza-like illness is the acute onset of respiratory symptoms with fever and cough and one or more of the following symptoms: sore throat, muscle aches, joint pain, or weakness. In children under 5, gastrointestinal symptoms may also be present and fever may not be prominent.
Infection Prevention and Control Practices
Practice Hand Hygiene - Players, coaches, officials, parents, staff and volunteers should practice proper hand hygiene by washing their hands with soap and warm running water for at least 15 seconds or by using a 60-90% alcohol-based hand rub. Proper hand hygiene should be practiced:
o Before eating;
o After using the toilet;
o After sneezing or coughing;
o After using a tissue; and
o Before and after sharing sports equipment and/or shaking hands.
Practice Respiratory Etiquette – Players, coaches, officials, parents, staff and volunteers should be encouraged to:
o Cough and sneeze into their sleeve, not their hands;
o Immediately dispose of used tissues in a garbage can; and
o Perform hand hygiene after disposing of tissues.
Managing Influenza-like Illness
All players, coaches, officials, parents, staff and volunteers who display Influenza-like symptoms, should stay home. Coaches should have contact numbers available to notify parents if their child becomes ill with symptoms while under the coach’s care.