Wednesday, June 24, 2009

H1N1 Confirmed Cases

Dear Members of the Campus Community:

Following on my email of June 16, the State Department of Labs has confirmed the two probable cases of the H1N1 flu among our campus student population.  As noted previously, both students have fully recovered without complications.

While I expect that more cases will arise, I remind you that the H1N1 flu has been primarily a mild disease thus far, and we continue to base our recommendations and treatment on the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control.
 
Students experiencing flu-like symptoms including a fever of 100 degrees F or more (37.8 C) should contact Student Health Services at 412-268-8220. Ill students should isolate themselves for seven days or until free of symptoms for 24 hours, whichever is longer. Faculty and staff experiencing flu-like symptoms, including a fever, should also notify Student Health Services at 412-268-8220, contact their health care provider and not come to work for at least seven days or until free of symptoms for at least 24 hours, whichever is longer. If you do not have a  thermometer, you can obtain Temp-a-dots from Student Health Services, the University Center Information Desk or desk attendants in the Mudge House.

The H1N1 flu is most commonly spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes into the air that others breathe. The virus can live on surfaces for up to two hours so it is possible that the virus can be transmitted through contact with contaminated objects. Therefore, covering your cough and sneeze, and washing your hands frequently remain the best and simplest ways to decrease the spread of viruses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site (http://www.cdc.gov) provides detailed information about transmission and prevention. Information is also available on the Student Health Services site (http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/HealthServices/announcements/2009/swine-flu.html).

We will continue to monitor the situation on campus and notify you should any additional precautions become available. Thank you for your attention and your vigilance in helping to keep Carnegie Mellon a safe and healthy campus community.

Sincerely,

Anita Barkin
Director, Student Health Services