Monday, April 27, 2009

There was considerable discussion about a new strain of swine flu, which originated in Mexico and now has resulted in 40 reported cases so far in the U.S. in five different states, including California, Texas, Kansas, Ohio and New York, in the news this past weekend. Symptoms are similar to seasonal influenza and thus far, cases in the U.S. have been mild. Nevertheless, the United States government declared a public health emergency yesterday, which is a standard operating procedure for health officials to begin preparations.

Similarly, UNCW will convene a meeting of the pandemic planning committee to review plans and procedures already in place and rehearsed as part of our ongoing emergency training exercises.

North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services, as well as UNCW's Student Health and Environmental Health & Safety departments, will continue to monitor the situation and keep the campus community informed.
We also are asking the campus community to continue everyday flu precautions, including:
· Wash your hands often.
· Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Stay home when you are sick.
· Practice other good health habits, such as get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.

Should you experience flu-like symptoms (nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, chills, fatigue), visit your doctor immediately. Students are encouraged to visit the Abrons Student Health Center in Westside Hall (www.uncw.edu/healthservices), which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (except on Thursday, when it opens at 9 a.m.). During hours when the Health Center is not open, students can call VitaLine at 910.332.8021.

Additional information about the swine flu is available at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm.