September 2, 2009
Dear Nazareth Faculty and Staff:
We hope that the first week of the semester has gone smoothly. Last week, students received an initial communication about the College’s preparations for possible outbreaks this fall of the H1N1 Flu. The information provided to students can be found on the Student Health Services web site under “about the flu.” We write today to inform you about Nazareth’s response to the H1N1 threat, convey how you can keep yourselves healthy and ask for your support.
Background
(excerpted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] web site)
“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.”
“Human infections with the new H1N1 virus are ongoing in the United States. Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment. CDC routinely works with states to collect, compile and analyze information about influenza, and has done the same for the new H1N1 virus since the beginning of the outbreak.”
“The CDC has determined that the H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. Spread of novel H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.”
For more detailed information about H1N1, please visit the CDC web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.
Administrative Response
A group of faculty, staff, and students has been appointed to prepare for and respond to H1N1 issues. This H1N1 Preparedness Team is being chaired by Kevin Worthen, Vice President for Student Development, and will meet regularly throughout the year. The preparedness team will concentrate most of its efforts on preparation and prevention. Students will receive “booster” messages on a regular basis through normal student information outlets about how to stay healthy and what to do if they become sick. Faculty and staff will likewise receive additional information on a periodic basis.
All divisions of the College will be asked to prepare for the impact of a potential outbreak of the H1N1 virus, and offices within each division will be tasked with creating a business continuity plan in the event that a high percentage of the staff members in a particular functional area get sick.
Students with flu-like illness will be asked not to go to class or work, and residential students whose families live relatively close to campus will be asked to go home until symptoms have disappeared. Faculty and staff will also be advised to stay at home if they have flu-like symptoms. This self-isolation is necessary to prevent spread of the virus. We remind faculty members and supervisors to be mindful that we are in a worldwide pandemic and ask them to be particularly flexible in the expectations of students and employees who become ill.
Finally, as part of its regular crisis management training cycle, members of senior staff will participate in a tabletop exercise for an outbreak of the H1N1 flu in the coming weeks.
Keeping yourself and other members of the Nazareth community healthy
The CDC has made several recommendations about how to stay healthy during the upcoming flu season. Nazareth has adopted these best practices and encourages you to follow them.
1. Stay informed about the status of the virus. The following link to the Health Center’s web site http://www.naz.edu/dept/health_services/ will provide important updates as they become available. Additional information and advice can be found on the CDC web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.
2. Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
3. Practice respiratory etiquette by coughing and sneezing into your shoulder or the crook of your elbow. Wash your hands immediately after you cough or sneeze. Discard tissues right after use. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to reduce the spread of germs.
4. Don’t share drinks, cosmetics, cell phones, etc. Try to avoid close contact with those who appear sick.
5. Talk with health care professionals about whether you should be vaccinated for the seasonal flu. Seasonal flu shots will be offered for faculty and staff on October 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the International Room. In addition, Nazareth is working with the Monroe County Health Department to offer H1N1 vaccinations to students as the vaccine becomes available later this fall. You should consult with your health care provider regarding possible vaccination.
6. Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms: body aches, a fever of 100° or higher, cough, sore throat, headache, and runny nose. You may also have diarrhea or vomiting.
If you do get sick
1. Stay at home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever reducing medicine.
2. Contact your health care provider for treatment recommendations.
What you should expect over the next several weeks
· More detailed protocols related to business continuity, continuation of the teaching and learning process in the event of an outbreak, and guidance about extended absences from class or work due to the virus.
· Regular updates from the H1N1 Preparedness Team regarding prevention strategies to combat the virus.
· Additional alcohol-based hand cleaner stations at various locations around campus.
· Additional cleaning of frequently used surfaces, like doorknobs, hand rails, office counters, keyboards in campus computer labs, etc.
· A mailing from our Facilities partner Sodexo and our Dining partner Chartwells regarding their plans for responding to the H1N1 pandemic.
We appreciate your attention to these necessary precautions and thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Daan Braveman Jo Ellen Pinkham
President Director of Human Resources