H1N1 (swine) Flu Information for Students, Faculty & Staff
A Message from Leonard W. Sandridge, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Office
August 24, 2009 - The summer months at the University are often spent planning for the upcoming academic year. What was different about this summer was that we were putting into place plans to deal with a possible outbreak of the novel H1N1 influenza.
This strain of flu, which you have no doubt read about, began spreading around the world last spring. The good news is that most cases thus far have been relatively mild, with symptoms similar to seasonal flu -- fever, headache, chills, body aches, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat and stuffy nose.
The reason the University is taking additional precautions to prepare for this flu, however, is that it is infecting 19- to 24-year-olds at a disproportionately high rate. With the influx of 21,000 students this week we may begin to see students with the flu -- and we cannot rule out the possibility of an outbreak.
Such an occurrence could interrupt University life -- in the classroom, in the Medical Center and in offices and facilities around the Grounds.
The Office of Emergency Preparedness, the Office of the Provost, the University's Medical Center, the Offices of Student Affairs and Student Health, among others, are putting into place recommended protocols for dealing with large numbers of student, staff and faculty absences due to the flu. (Students received an e-mail from Student Health on Sunday.)
To read more about the University's plans, find updated information and educational resources and learn what you -- individually -- can do to help mitigate the spread of the flu, go to the University's H1N1 Web page at http://www.virginia.edu/emergency/h1n1.html.
The key to reducing the spread of infection is to practice good cold etiquette. Next week we will be placing educational messages in restrooms and other locations across the Grounds with some of these basic techniques:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers and wipes.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Don't touch your mouth, eyes or nose.
- To reduce germs on surfaces, do a daily wipe-down of your telephone, keyboard, desk, and doorknobs. Any household cleaner or wipe is effective.
- If you do get sick: stay home, call your doctor, rest.
- If you have been fever-free -- and off fever-reducing medications such as aspirin -- for 24 hours, you may resume your normal activities without fear of spreading the flu.
The University's emergency preparedness plan will be in operation as the situation evolves, and we will remain flexible in order to respond quickly to changing events. We also will continue to work closely with local and state health departments and to follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control.
My hope is that the plan we have in place will help ease any disruptions you may encounter if an outbreak occurs.
Leonard W. Sandridge
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
For more information on H1N1:
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sandridge approved distribution of this message.