On Tuesday, April 28, John Andrews, MD, UC Assistant Senior Vice President of University Health Services, and Captain Jeff Corcoran, Director of UC Public Safety-Emergency Services, issued the following statement regarding the emerging swine flu epidemic:”In response to national and global alerts regarding swine flu, the University of Cincinnati has moved to Phase One of our pandemic preparedness plan. View the plan at:
http://www.uc.edu/pubsafety/documents/emergency_service/draft_pandemic_plan.pdf (or, go to http://www.uc.edu/pubsafety/emergency_services/Emergency_Prep.html
and click on “Pandemic Annex to EOP”)
“Phase One is primarily focused on preparation and education. Units of the University who have responsibilities under the plan are required to review their readiness.
“At this time, there are no UC students or faculty reported in Mexico on UC-sponsored programs, and no UC-sponsored programs planned for Mexico in the near future, according to UC International. A small number of UC students are planning to participate in programs in Mexico in mid-summer. UC International is monitoring the situation in order to advise these students.
“The World Health Organization has raised its alert on swine flue to level four – meaning the virus shows a sustained ability to pass from human to human, and is able to cause community-level outbreaks. In the United States, the Center for Disease Control has issued a health advisory.
“Cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Israel and New Zealand in addition to the United States and Mexico. All of the U.S. cases have been mild, and only one has resulted in hospitalization. The cases in Mexico have been much more serious, with as many as 100 fatalities reported. It is unknown at this point if the situation in the US will worsen.
“Flu shots administered in fall 2008 and winter 2009 did not have components in the vaccine to prevent swine flu. It is possible that swine flu can spread quickly in a population that is not immune to the illness.
SYMPTOMS
“Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of the regular flu, but symptoms can be more severe than the regular flu. They include:
* a sudden fever
* body aches and pains
* coughing
* fatigue
“People who have swine flu may also have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and/or a runny nose and sore throat.
“If you encounter someone with these symptoms, contact health providers (University Health Services or UHI emergency room) immediately. Medical staff at these locations can help decide whether and how soon medical evaluation is required. Note that University Health Services is encouraging students and staff to call before coming in to the clinic (for infection control purposes). You will receive special instructions for coming in to health center or hospital to minimize exposing others in case you do have swine flu.
PREVENTION
“Since flu shots administered in fall 2008/winter 2009 will not protect against swine flu, it is important to practice other behaviors that can reduce your chances of becoming ill:
* Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or carry a small-size, alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you and use it often.
* Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes. don’t eat, drink, or smoke after others.
* Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve so that viruses are trapped in the fabric of your clothing and so that you do not contaminate your hands. If you cough into a tissue, throw it in a wastebasket immediately. Don’t lay it on a surface that others might touch. Wash or sanitize your hands as soon a possible.
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are ill.