Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Influenza Preparations
September 25, 2009
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
The Morgan State University Community
Students
Faculty
Staff
FROM:
Earl S. Richardson, President
SUBJECT:
Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Influenza Preparations
I want to share with you steps that Morgan State University is taking to minimize the impact of the seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 (swine flu) influenza virus on the campus community.
I have encouraged the Provost and the Vice Presidents to work collaboratively with the School/College Deans and their respective staff on a five-point plan to:
1) Inform the campus community about the ways to minimize exposure to infections from seasonal flu viruses and exposure to the H1N1 virus. You may have seen the brochures and posters displayed about campus, in the residence halls and in the University Student Center. The University has prepared a web page on the information and updates about H1N1. This information can be viewed at http://www.morgan.edu/About_MSU/News/H1N1_-_What_You_Should_Know.html. You will find a link to the site from Morgan's home page at www.morgan.edu.
2) Immunize as many students, faculty and staff who wish to receive seasonal flu shots and/or the H1N1 vaccine when it is available. The University's Health Center has made formal application to be a distribution center for the H1N1 vaccine. Seasonal flu shots are currently available to students for $15 and to faculty and staff for $20.
3) Install hand sanitizer dispensers around campus with reminders to wash hands frequently. The University has purchased over 100 Purell hand sanitizer dispensers and has installed them throughout campus facilities. Signs and reminders are posted near or adjacent to the hand sanitizers as reminders to wash your hands frequently and to cover your coughs.
4) Instruct the faculty about the common flu and H1N1 symptoms to minimize their exposure and to minimize the impact on the instruction and evaluation of their students. The common symptoms, advice on prevention and treatment, as well as a list of readily available resources are listed on the University's H1N1 web page and/or on the Health Center's web page. The Health Center's web page is www.morgan.edu/Campus_Life/Health_Services.html. The School/College Deans are being encouraged to include information for faculty in each School/College meeting and in departmental meetings.
5) Isolate students who become ill and whose permanent residences are more than a four-hour drive from campus. Isolation centers have been identified in various campus facilities in order to quarantine infected students. Students who become ill but whose permanent residences are within a four-hour drive from campus are encouraged, health permitting, to secure private transportation and go home to recuperate.
The seasonal flu and the swine flu are different viruses, and it is possible to contract both types. The Centers for Disease Control recommends vaccination against the seasonal flu especially for older people and those with chronic diseases. The Center tells us, however, that "the seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against novel H1N1 influenza."
Among other measures, you are being counseled to:
- wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds;
- use alcohol based antibacterial hand sanitizers when water is not available;
- cover your nose and mouth when coughing and/or sneezing; and
- remain at home if ill and do not return to class and/or to campus for 24 hours after your symptoms subside.
Students experiencing flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), should visit the Health Center. The Health Center's telephone number is (443) 885-3236.
Please be assured that University personnel are working very hard to minimize the impact of the seasonal flu and/or the H1N1 virus on your work and study at Morgan State University.
