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H1N1 INFLUENZA
-- Based on assessment of all available information and following several expert consultations, Dr Margaret Chan, WHO's Director-General raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5. She stated that all countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans. At this stage, effective and essential measures include heightened surveillance, early detection and treatment of cases, and infection control in all health facilities.
Statement by WHO Director-General
Full coverage of H1N1 (swine) influenza
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The MN Department of Health has moved into a new phase of response to H1N1, given that it is acting more like seasonal influenza. For more information, please check the MN Department of Health website .
There have been no confirmed or suspected cases on the Macalester campus and campus activities and operations continue normally.
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There has been no significant change in the influenza situation locally since yesterday's confirmation of H1N1 in Minnesota, which now has one confirmed case and up to eight potential cases in the state. Macalester College is proceeding with all classes and activities as scheduled.
If any student, faculty or staff were to become identified as a probable case of H1N1, the College is requesting that the indentified individual please leave a message regarding the stituation with the Dean of Students Office (651)696-6220. Your privacy will be protected; this information would be important for considering the public health of the college community.
For specific information on the situation in MN, check the MN Department of Health website.
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As of this morning, there was one confirmed case of H1N1 influenza in Cold Spring, Minnesota, which is outside of the Twin Cities. The College is closely tracking the situation and this increase in proximity is prompting some additional activity and information distribution on the Macalester campus. There are currently no changes to College operations or activities as a result of H1N1 flu other than following the recommended travel advisory for Mexico .
Waterless hand sanitizer and face masks are available for use at the main entrance to the Leonard Center which houses the Health & Wellness Center. Information on swine(H1N1) influenza is also available on the table. Students who have a temperature of 100.5 degrees F or higher, along with a cough, sore throat, chills/body ache, fatigue should call the Health & Wellness Center (HWC) before coming over for instructions. Students without a fever but with other influenza symptoms are encouraged to take a mask upon entering the building. Others who are concerned about being exposed to a virus may elect to put on a mask before entering the HWC.
Faculty and staff who are experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to also CALL their health care provider for instructions.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2009
As of this morning, there was one suspected case of swine influenza in Minnesota but outside of the Twin Cities. The College is closely tracking the situation and this increase in proximity is prompting some additional activity and information distribution on the Macalester campus. There are currently no changes to College operations or activities as a result of swine flu other than following the recommended travel advisory for Mexico .
Waterless hand sanitizer and face masks are available for use at the main entrance to the Leonard Center which houses the Health & Wellness Center. Information on swine influenza is also available on the table. Students who have a temperature of 100.5 degrees F or higher , along with a cough, sore throat, chills/body ache, fatigue should call the Health & Wellness Center (HWC) before coming over for instructions. Students without a fever but with other influenza symptoms are encouraged to take a mask upon entering the building. Others who are concerned about being exposed to a virus may elect to put on a mask before entering the HWC.
Faculty and staff who are experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to also CALL their health care provider for instructions.
All community members are encouraged to engage in good personal hygiene practices which can be found on the PREVENT page
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Monday, April 27, 2009
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory on April 25, 2009 for swine influenza and the federal government has declared a public health emergency as a result of several confirmed cases of swine flu in the U.S. This declaration is described as "standard operating procedure" to free up federal resources to combat the virus. Macalester College is presently following this health concern. It is important to emphasize that there have been no reported cases of this new swine influenza in Minnesota . Increased disease surveillance is taking place by the Minnesota Department of Health and any relevant information will be forwarded to the Macalester College Health & Wellness Center and Safety and Security by the department should this situation change. Currently, there are no changes to College operations or activities as a result of swine flu.
Despite the name, the disease is NOT transmitted through eating pork or pork products. It is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to learn more about the infection and become familiar with the symptoms of the disease. There are several very good web sites listed below for learning more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes the symptoms as follows:
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people? The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. It is important to note that these are common symptoms that can be associated with a number of illnesses and do not necessarily automatically indicate influenza.
Students who are experiencing these symptoms are encouraged to call the Macalester Health & Wellness Center to schedule an appointment - do not come to the HWC without calling ahead; this is particularly important if they have traveled recently (within 7 days of onset of symptoms) to Mexico or places in the US reporting cases. Faculty and staff who are reporting these symptoms are similarly urged to contact their personal health care provider. Common sense regarding minimizing public contact should be followed in these cases.
As in the case of any viral infections, Macalester community members are urged to be especially conscientious about their personal health practices. The basics of hand washing, covering your cough, wiping down public/shared surfaces (e.g. computers, exercise equipment etc.), not sharing food/drink from a common container, staying home if you are not feeling well, using waterless hand sanitizer – all of these practices are particularly important in containing influenza and other communicable diseases.
The following web sites are recommended for specific information on swine influenza and the current status of the health advisory:
CDC - Q&A – Swine Flu & You
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm
MN Dept of Health
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/swine/index.html
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
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