Thursday, April 30, 2009

As the number of cases of H1N1 flu (swine flu) continues to rise throughout the world, UNCW is monitoring the situation to determine any actions that may need to be taken to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. Currently, there have been no confirmed cases in North Carolina, and cases in the U.S. have been similar in severity to seasonal influenza. Still, the university is making every effort to be prepared should the situation worsen. At this time, UNCW has not canceled any events or classes due to the swine flu situation.

The Pandemic Influenza/Infectious Disease Planning Committee is meeting on a regular basis to discuss preparedness measures and UNCW officials are in constant contact with local public health authorities. Additionally, UNCW has a well-practiced Pandemic Influenza/Infectious Disease Response Plan.

The UNCW community is advised to follow basic flu precautions as a preventative measure. If you begin to experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, chills or fatigue, see a doctor immediately. Employees should see their regular health care provider, and students can visit the Student Health Center located in Westside Hall on campus.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a travel health warning for Mexico and has recommended that you avoid all non-essential travel to that country. If you must travel, domestically or internationally, please follow these tips for safe and responsible travel:

• If you are participating in any UNCW-related travel, notify your supervisor, dean, advisor, professor and/or coach prior to departing on your trip and prior to returning to Wilmington (or your final destination). Students should also keep parents informed of travel plans. Supervisors should keep employees informed of the situation and UNCW's response measures. Similarly, deans, advisors, professors and/or coaches should keep students informed of any response actions taken by UNCW.
• While traveling and at home, practice general flu precautions:

1. Wash your hands often with warm water and soap, rubbing all parts of your hands vigorously for about 15 – 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if a sink with running water and soap is not available.
2. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, using a tissue or coughing or sneezing into your upper sleeve
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
4. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
5. Stay home when you are sick
6. Practice other good health habits, such as get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods. This will help to keep your immune system strong.

• Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations.
• Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies. See Pack Smart in Your Survival Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel for a list of what to include in your travel health kit.
• Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
• Check if your health insurance plan will cover you abroad. Consider purchasing additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick. For more information, see Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad from the U.S. Department of State.
• Remember that U.S. embassies, consulates and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability or resources to evacuate or to give medications, vaccines or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.
• If you experience symptoms while traveling or upon returning home, visit a doctor immediately.

For additional information about traveling to Mexico or other areas where swine flu has occurred, follow the safety tips on this CDC Web site: www.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx.

UNCW will continue to monitor the swine flu situation and will communicate with the UNCW community as needed. For more information about UNCW's response to the swine flu situation, visit www.uncw.edu/ba/safety/swineflu.html. For updated UNCW emergency information, visit www.uncw.edu/safetyandemergency.