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 May 1 RRCA Encourages Precautions to Limit Flu SpreadArlington, VA – The Road Runners Club of America encourages race directors to take extra precautions as part of their risk management responsibilities at their events over the coming weeks in the wake of the Swine Flu outbreak. Event directors should contact their local health departments to learn about any special community health alerts, precautions or instructions that may affect their event permits and take action accordingly.The recommended extra precautions include sending home event volunteers that appear to have symptoms of the flu or place them in positions where they will have minimal contact with people participating in or assisting with the race. All volunteers handling food and fluids should be flu symptom free and should be provided with hand sanitizer and gloves and follow safe food handling procedures. Volunteers handing out water or energy drinks must be instructed to hold the cups from the bottom, not the top. Volunteers should refrain from touching the mouth of a cup at all times. Hand sanitizer should be available near the port-a-potties, at aid stations, and at the race expo or packet pick-up. Runners with flu like symptoms should stay home from an event. Runners participating in events should take responsibility for practicing good hygiene on the run. "Bodily functions are a fact of life during a race," explains Jean Knaack, RRCA executive director. "If you need to spit, blow your nose, or relieve your bladder during a race, move off of the race course to take care of your needs and sanitize your hands at an aid station to minimize the likelihood of someone coming into contact with your bodily fluids." Detailed RRCA Runners Etiquette advice can be found at http://www.rrca.org/programs/education/etiquette.pdf The RRCA encourages everyone in the running community to follow the CDC’s advice. • Stay informed • Take everyday actions to stay healthy • Follow public health advice • Develop an emergency plan Visit http://www.CDC.gov for more information. ###
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