I am writing to announce a new H1N1 information hotline and to provide you with an update on the status of H1N1 in the Carnegie Mellon community.
We have established a new information hotline at 412-268-4161 (H1N1) to enhance direct communication. The hotline will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. We request that all students, faculty, staff and parents use this number for inquiries relating to H1N1, and you will be directed to the appropriate individual, depending on the nature of your call. This telephone line is dedicated to issues regarding H1N1 and is not an emergency hotline. All campus emergencies should continue to be directed to University Police at 412-268-2323. Student Health Services may be reached directly at 412-268-2157.
Fortunately, after a peak of activity last Thursday, we are seeing a decrease in the number of students with flu-like symptoms, and the illness remains mild to moderate for the most part. The majority of students have fever for two days and fully recover within five days. Today, fewer than 30 students are in isolation housing on campus or recuperating in their own rooms, with an equivalent number recovering in their own rooms off campus. Since the start of orientation activities almost three weeks ago, about 2 percent of our total student body, more than 200 students, have had influenza-like illness. A subset of the ill population has been tested, confirming that H1N1 is present on our campus.
While the numbers are stabilizing and symptoms have been mild for most students, I urge you to remain vigilant if symptoms emerge, especially if you have pre-existing conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or other underlying conditions that might compromise your immunity. Monitor your temperature and consult Student Health Services if you develop a fever. Please do not attend social events if you are not feeling well. If you develop a fever, isolation is a key strategy to contain the spread of flu in the community. Continue to wash your hands frequently and cover your cough.
Because isolation measures are vital in slowing the spread of infection, we are continuing to provide temporary isolation housing for ill students living on campus, particularly for those students who share restroom facilities. The majority of students with private or semi-private facilities are isolating themselves in their rooms. In true Carnegie Mellon fashion, friends and roommates are working with staff from Student Health Services, Dining, Housing and Student Affairs to provide supportive care for ill students until they are well enough to resume normal activities. We have also employed a temporary nursing service to provide additional 24-hour support. Ill students living off campus are being advised to stay home, to isolate themselves and to not attend classes until they are fever-free for 24 hours after they stop taking fever-reducing medications.
Faculty and staff experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home from work and call their health care provider. We also would like faculty and staff to notify Student Health Services so we can track the health of our campus community.
As we press forward, I thank all faculty for your flexibility with regard to ill students, and I thank the entire campus community for your cooperation and understanding, and for the precautions you have taken thus far. I have especially been heartened by the way in which fellow students have stepped up in support of their friends, which once again underscores the caring community of which we are all fortunate to be a part.
Before closing, I want to mention that Student Health Services and Human Resources will be once again partnering to offer seasonal flu vaccines to students and benefits eligible employees, and we are expecting to receive our shipment of the seasonal flu vaccine in the next week or so. Once we are in receipt of the vaccine, we hope to begin our campus distribution through several flu clinics, beginning the week of September 14. When we finalize the details, the schedule for the clinics will be announced. The seasonal influenza vaccine is distinct from the H1N1 vaccine, which will not be available nationally until late October or November.
As in all my correspondence to you, I encourage you to continue to exercise good hygiene and to monitor your health to help limit the spread of infection.
