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PANDEMIC FLU
Pandemic Flu Planning
There is ongoing discussion in the media
concerning a flu pandemic. History teaches us that we should expect
and prepare for a global flu pandemic.
St. Ambrose University, in cooperation with the
Scott County Health Department, is in the
process of developing a plan which will assist us in our
efforts to protect the safety and well-being of our campus
community.
St. Ambrose University's Safety Committee is
providing overall guidance, engaging departments across
campus in the development of specific plans for the
protection of our community. We hope the members of
our campus community will use these resources to learn about
pandemic flu in order to develop departmental and
individual plans which will help us take care of one another
in such a crisis, whenever it strikes.
Flu Terms Defined
Novel H1N1 Flu (referred to as "swine flu"
early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in
people. This new virus was first detected in people in
the United States in April 2009. This virus is
spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much
the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO)
signaled that a pandemic of novel H1N1 flu was underway.
Avian (or bird) flu
is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally
and commonly among wild birds. The H5N1 variant has
been the focus of concern in recent years. Avian
influenza infection in domestic poultry causes two main
forms of disease;
*The "low pathogenic" form (including the
"North American strain" of H5N1) may go undetected in birds,
usually causing only mild symptoms, and is not considered a
threat to humans.
*The "highly pathogenic form" spreads more
rapidly through flocks, is deadly to domestic fowl, and can
be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human
immunity to this virus, and no vaccine is available.
While there has been some human-to-human spread of H5N1, it
has been limited, inefficient, and unsustained.
Pandemic flu
refers to a virulent human flu that causes a global
outbreak (or pandemic) of serious illness. A flu
pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which
people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no
vaccine. The disease spreads easily from person to
person, causes serious illness, and can sweep across a
country and around the world in a very short time.
Seasonal (or common) flu or influenza
is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted easily from
person to person. Influenza types A or B viruses cause
epidemics of disease almost every winter. In the
United States, seasonal flu epidemics can cause illness in
10% to 20% of people and are associated with an average of
36,000 deaths and 114,000 hospitalizations per year.
Though most people have some immunity, getting a flu shot is
recommended for people at high risk of complications and for
anyone who wants to reduce the chance of getting the flu.
(See information about
flu and flu vaccines.)
Prevention
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and the American College Health Association
recommend that students and staff at college and
universities (especially those who share close quarters)
consider getting the
flu vaccine.
The flu (influenza) is highly contagious and
spreads by contact with the oral and nasal secretions of
others who have been infected. We recommend the
following advice about what you need to do to stay healthy.
-
Wash your hands
-
Don't share eating
and drinking utensils, lip balms, etc.
-
Avoid close contact
with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep
your distance from others to protect them from getting
sick too.
-
Stay home from
classes, work, social gatherings, errands, and
non-essential activity when you are sick.
-
Cover your mouth and
nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to keep
those around you from getting your germs.
-
Avoid touching your
eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread
when a person touches something that is contaminated
with germs and then touches her or his eyes, nose or
mouth.
-
Take care of your
immune system by eating well, getting plenty of
sleep, engaging in physical activity, and managing
stress.
-
Wash your hands
frequently.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention) offers these additional tips:
Preparation
Your ability to stay healthy
and to respond effectively will depend in part on your
advance planning. If a pandemic occurs, the university
may have to evacuate for some period of time. If
classes are suspended and campus is closed, residence hall
students may be expected to leave campus within 24 hours so
that they can travel safely to be with loved ones before
major disruptions occur with the nation's communications,
transportation and financial systems. To make
sure you are ready to respond, think through your personal
emergency plan and address the following considerations:
If you
live on or near campus and have to travel some distance to
your permanent residence, what are your primary travel
plans? Do you have a contingency?
-
If you plan to travel by
air or rail, do you have your travel agency or airline
reservation information handy? What amount of cash
and other resources do you need to keep on hand for
emergency travel ($ for gas, tickets, food, etc.)?
-
If you plan to drive, do
you have at least one alternate route?
-
If you will be picked up,
do you have contact information ready?
-
If you cannot get home,
is there a friend or loved one who lives nearby who
would agree to let you stay during a campus closure (for
what could be an extended stay)?
-
What plans are you making
and sharing with your roommate (i.e., staying in touch,
securing your room by the last person to leave, list of
valuables left behind)?
If you
commute and an evacuation is ordered, do you have at least
one alternative commuter route?
What
should you do if your on-campus classes are interrupted, but
your academic activities continue remotely, through e-mail
or other communications? Prepare to have the following
at home:
-
Laptop and portable
technology devices.
-
Syllabi for your classes,
including faculty and other student contact information.
-
Individual course plans
in the event of a campus evacuation.
-
Email access and on-line
learning options. For more information check the
St. Ambrose information technology web site.
Will the
university be able to reach you once you have evacuated?
The university may need to
rely on phone and internet communications to remain in touch
with you during a pandemic. Please make sure your
contact information is up to date (both email and phone) for
students in the
Student Information System.
In addition, the Iowa Department of Public
Health has provided the following website -
Protect Iowa Health
- to assist you in 1) developing a plan in the event of an
emergency, 2) assembling an emergency supply kit which will
need to be checked periodically and restocked as needed, and
3) creating a list of important phone numbers.
For additional information,
see the website for the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and/or
for the
World Health Organization.
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Influenza/Pneumonia
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