Emergency Information/University of Virginia

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H1N1 (swine flu) Information for Students, Faculty & Staff

A Message from Leonard W. Sandridge, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

To the University community:

Earlier this week, the University's Medical Center informed its employees that a small number of staff members had been diagnosed with novel H1N1 flu.

While neither the region nor the state is seeing large numbers of cases -- 191 have been diagnosed in Virginia thus far -- we do know that influenza is in our community. I believe it's important to remind all University employees of the flu symptoms and how individuals can help to keep the workplace safe.

As has been widely reported, the symptoms of this virus have ranged from very mild, cold-like symptoms to more severe influenza symptoms. It is now generally being described as seasonal flu. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, chills, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person. I am asking employees to contact their doctors immediately to be evaluated if they have any of these symptoms - and not to come to work.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer the following advice for staying healthy:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based sanitizers are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Prevent the spread of germs by not touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them when you are ill.
• Call your health care provider if you become ill with influenza-like symptoms.
• Stay informed. The CDC website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social-distancing measures.

If you would like more information on H1N1, visit the University's Emergency Web site.

There you will find numerous resources -- in English and Spanish -- that you can download to share with colleagues at work or with family members and neighbors in an effort to keep everyone as healthy as possible over the summer.

Leonard Sandridge
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Hospital epidemiologist informs community about dealing with H1N1 cases

June 24, 2009 -- On Tuesday, June 23, the University of Virginia Medical Center's epidemiologist, Dr. Keri Hall, sent an email to all Medical Center employees informing them that a small number of healthcare employees had been diagnosed with novel H1N1 influenza. As has been widely reported, the symptoms of this virus have ranged from very mild, cold-like symptoms to more severe influenza symptoms. It is generally being described as seasonal flu.

Dr. Hall advised U.Va. Hospital staff that they should not come to work if they develop flu-like symtoms. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, chills, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Employees were asked to immediately contact Employee Health to be evaluated if they had any worrisome symptoms.

"Please be vigilant about noticing any visitors who appear to be ill or have a significant cough," Hall added. "Sick visitors should be asked to avoid visiting until their symptoms have resolved."

She also reminded Hospital employees to be extremely careful about following proper hand hygiene procedures while caring for patients. "Take the necessary precautions to protect our patients and your colleagues by adhering to these recommendations," Hall said.

Here are some simple disease prevention measures that all individuals should follow:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based sanitizers are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Prevent the spread of germs by not touching eyes, nose or mouth.
• Stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them when you are ill.
• Call your health care provider if you become ill with influenza-like symptoms.

If you would like more information on H1N1, visit the University's Emergency site. There are numerous resources on this Web page - in English and Spanish -- that you can download to share with colleagues at work or family members.

H1N1 (swine flu) is circulating throughout Virginia

The H1N1 flu is circulating throughout Virginia, including the Charlottesville region. The World Health Organization raised the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 on June 11, 2009. This declaration reflects the spread of the disease and the sustained person-to-person transmission. It does not indicate any changes in the severity of disease caused by the novel H1N1 influenza virus, which in the U.S. has remained moderate to date. Read More.

A Message from Leonard W. Sandridge, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Although no cases of H1N1 (swine flu) have been reported in Charlottesville and only three cases have been confirmed in the state of Virginia, the University is addressing the possibility of a flu outbreak with an abundance of caution. As always, the safety and well being of all members of the University community -- students, staff, and faculty -- are our primary concern. Read More.

To stay apprised of the latest information about what the University is doing visit the University's flu site.

Emergency Notification

Due to the size and complexity of the University and its grounds, we deploy multiple communications methods to reach as many people as possible.

You may hear about an emergency situation through:

• Fire alarm
• Siren
• UVa Alerts (text message and alternate email notification)
• University email
• LCD screens
• Public address system announcements (where available)

Keep informed on the situation with:

• UVa website
• Community website
• Local television and radio stations

Be Prepared to Act

Safety of our people is the highest priority. Knowing what to do in an emergency is critical to your safety:

• If you discover an emergency situation, call 911. Remain calm and use common sense.
• Depending on the situation, evacuate or shelter-in-place.
  • Evacuate immediately upon request of authorities, upon hearing an alarm, or when remaining inside is dangerous or life-threatening.
  • Stay inside and move to an interior room if exiting the building is dangerous.
• Make one phone call to your out of town family contact and be brief; do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
• Protect yourself. Do not jeopardize your life or the lives of others by attempting to save personal or University property.
• Assist others, but do not exceed your training or knowledge when attempting to render first aid.
• Follow instructions from authorities. Do not cross official police barriers without authorization.
• Limit travel; keep the roads free for emergency vehicles.

Emergency Procedures (PDF 64 KB)

For printable guidelines for what to do in case of an emergency download the Emergency Procedures Poster (PDF 64 KB).

Critical Incident Management Plan

The Critical Incident Management Plan (CIMP) guides the University’s response actions in any emergency incident affecting the University of Virginia. The CIMP is activated when an emergency affecting the University reaches proportions that cannot be handled by established measures. This emergency may be sudden and unforeseen, or there may be varying periods of warning. The CIMP is flexible to accommodate contingencies of all types, magnitude and duration.

The University of Virginia's Critical Incident Management Plan is available as a Web page and a PDF (PDF 220 KB).

U.Va. Mobile

The U.Va. mobile site now includes information about how to contact U.Va. Police, get home safely, and what to do in an emergency. If information about a critical event or emergency is published to the U.Va. home page, it will also be available on the U.Va. Mobile home page. The following safety information is now available on U.Va. Mobile:

• U.Va. Police Emergency/Office numbers
• Blue-light phone information
• Safe Rides numbers and hours
• Yellow Cab ride reimbursement program information
• U.Va. Critical Alerts, if applicable
• Additional numbers and information from the Critical Incident web site.

- Get U.Va. Mobile

State Resources

Virginia Department of Emergency Management
(804) 864-7001

Virginia Department of Health
(804) 864-7001

Ready Virginia.Gov
(866) 782-3470

National Resources

Ready.Gov
(202) 282-8000

Department of Homeland Security
(202) 282-8000

U.S. State Department Travel Warnings
(888) 407-4747

Pandemic Flu
(800) 232-4636