University of Colorado at Boulder officials are advising the campus community to take a few basic precautions to guard against swine influenza type A (H1N1) and announced some other preventive measures to guard against the virus.
A few human cases of the virus, known informally as "swine flu," have been reported in Kansas, California, Texas, New York and Ohio. No cases of swine flu have been reported in Colorado, or on the CU-Boulder campus, as of Monday, April 27. Colorado, CU and Boulder County public health officials are monitoring the situation very closely to look for any suspicious cases of swine flu.
"Right now, we're urging people to take basic precautions," said Dr. Pamela Talley, lead physician at CU-Boulder's Wardenburg Health Center. "Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap or use an alcohol-based hand gel. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, visit your health care provider if you have flu symptoms, and stay home if you have a fever along with any respiratory symptoms."
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to symptoms of seasonal influenza and generally include a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people with swine flu have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe complications, such as pneumonia, sometimes occur and may be more likely in people with some underlying medical conditions.
"We are not urging students to come to Wardenburg for a flu test unless they are currently exhibiting flu symptoms and have either traveled to Mexico within the last seven days, or had close contact with an ill person who has," said Talley. "We will only test if flu symptoms are present and the patient fits the Centers for Disease Control criteria for a suspected case of swine flu. Confirmation of their test will be done at the state and CDC level."
Talley said Wardenburg staff have seen fewer patients complaining of fevers and coughs following this year's spring break (March 23-27) compared to last year.
"And that means that anyone who went to Mexico for spring break is not at higher risk for swine flu," said Talley. "Symptoms appear within two to seven days of contact with a person who has the virus, so by now, it should have run its course among our CU spring breakers."
Talley said CU officials are "more concerned about those who have traveled to Mexico more recently - within seven days - or who plan to travel there."
Currently, CU-Boulder has a total of six students studying in Mexico in CU Study Abroad programs - four in Monterrey and two in Guadalajara. All have been contacted by CU-Boulder international education staff and advised of the swine flu threat.
A total of 10 students are scheduled to study in Mexico in study abroad programs during summer 2009. CU-Boulder international education staff are in the process of contacting them and apprising them of the current travel recommendations.
CU officials are communicating with faculty, staff and students about swine flu precautions via e-mail messages, Web site postings on the main CU Web site, the Wardenburg Health Center Web site and the CU student portal "CUConnect." Written advisories also will be posted in CU-Boulder residence halls and around campus.
CU-Boulder employees also will receive messages, information and instructions on workplace protocols to prevent the spread of viruses. Extra efforts will be made throughout campus to increase cleaning and disinfection in residence hall kitchens, bathrooms and common areas.
CU employees who are currently exhibiting flu symptoms and have either traveled to Mexico within the last seven days, or had close contact with an ill person who has, should contact their own health care providers.
"We have seen no fatalities in the U.S. thus far, and there are only 40 laboratory-confirmed cases spread across five states as of Monday," Talley said. "Right now, in the U.S. cases, this strain of the swine flu is acting like a regular seasonal influenza. But we want to be prepared and let our campus community know this virus is out there, and that we are working to mitigate its spread."
Helpful links on swine flu:
Wardenburg Health Center
/
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment links
Helpline: 1-877-462-2911
Web site:
Centers for Disease Control links
Questions and Answers: Swine Influenza and You
CDC Travelers' Health Page