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Letter from President Dooley

To students and parents, about H1N1

August 26, 2009

Dear Student and Parent(s):

As the fall term approaches, our nation and campus community are closely monitoring the status of the H1N1 (swine) flu virus. We recognize that you may have concerns, and want to share the approach that the University of Rhode Island is taking to prepare for the likelihood of this flu affecting our community.

To support the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff, a coordinating committee is dedicated to monitoring the situation, being in constant contact with federal and state agencies and ensuring that plans are in place to protect the health of our campus community. Fortunately, the vast majority of cases are mild and, at this point, the H1N1 virus appears no more virulent or severe than most seasonal flu.

While no vaccine is currently available for the H1N1 flu, we are advised that it may become available in October, and, as of July 29, 2009, college students were included in a priority group to receive vaccine.

URI will conduct vaccination clinics for students once it becomes available. Indications are that two H1N1 immunizations, plus the normal seasonal flu vaccination will be recommended. We will communicate the status and availability to students through email, our website, social media, and other venues.

Following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we urge all community members to understand the symptoms of the flu and what to do if they become ill. There are simple methods, described below, to avoid transmission of illness.

For those students who become ill, we recommend that they consider returning home if they can do so safely. For those who remain on campus, self-isolation will include social distancing, keeping about 6 feet from others, wearing a mask when moving into a shared bathroom, and coordinating efforts to receive fluids and food.

As your daughter or son prepares for the fall semester we urge them to bring a thermometer (non mercurial), tissues, alcohol hand sanitizer, hand soap, and possibly a small package of surgical masks. Given the possibility that many people may seek care or advice simultaneously, the CDC is advising that people seek care only if they have underlying risk factors or emergent symptoms.

We plan to have a telephone advice line and campus flu status will be reported through the URI homepage, with a link to the CDC site. The University will also host live chats Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Further details will be posted on the URI homepage.

Thank you for your efforts to keep all members of the URI family in good health. Although we can't eliminate the spread of this virus, our collective efforts can significantly minimize its reach and overall impact.

Warm regards,

David M. Dooley, Ph.D.
President

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Prevention

It is important for all faculty, staff, and students to take the following flu/respiratory disease precautions:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. Do not share drinks, utensils, cigarettes, etc.
  • If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Throw used tissues in the trash.person washing hands
  • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, particularly after you sneeze, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
  • Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

As this is not a gastrointestinal viral infection similar to the norovirus, intensive cleaning for food facilities (beyond normal cleaning) is not needed.

Medication and Vaccinations

Generally, Tamiflu is prescribed for individuals with flu who are either hospitalized, have a chronic medical condition (as listed above, under Treatment and Response), or have a suppressed immune system. Tamiflu for influenza is not a cure, although it can reduce symptoms and decrease length of recovery time by about 24 hours.

The following vaccinations are expected to be available fall 2009:

  • Seasonal Flu Vaccine: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all students get vaccinated for the seasonal flu. This vaccine will be available for students at no cost.
  • Novel H1N1 Vaccine: Recent recommendations from the CDC have placed individuals under age 24 in the top priority group for receiving the H1N1 vaccine.

More information will be available in the coming weeks regarding how and when this vaccine will be given.