How can I protect myself from this virus?

Since influenza spreads through spit and spray as well as contact with contaminated surfaces, the usual good personal hygiene habits are the best defence.

• Wash your hands repeatedly through the day with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers
• Avoid touching you mouth, nose or eyes with your hands unless they've been washed
• When coughing, cough into a tissue and throw it in the garbage
• If you cough into your hand, wash your hands immediately
• Sanitize surfaces that may have come into contact with the virus
• If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, stay home

With human flu, the virus is most contagious between the second and third days after infection -- sometimes before symptoms appear -- and the virus remains contagious for about a week in adults and up to 10 days in kids.