Message on influenza
September 14, 2009
Aloha to UH Mānoa students, staff and faculty:
The start of our fall semester here at UH Mānoa brings together students from a wide geographic area and it is likely that we will experience a number of influenza cases, including influenza A (H1N1), also known as the "swine flu."
We want to share the latest information on what UH Mānoa is doing — and what each of you should do — to decrease the number of illnesses and lessen their impact on carrying out our daily learning, teaching, research, and service activities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is predicting an increase in influenza activity this fall because of the current H1N1 outbreak trends in our community and elsewhere. UH Mānoa has plans in place to minimize the impact on faculty, staff, and students and operations should a large outbreak occur on campus. We will do everything we can to keep operating as usual, however, we need your support to accomplish this.
Here are a few things you can do to help:
• PRACTICE GOOD HAND HYGIENE by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Hand-sanitizing stations are being installed at all major UH Mânoa buildings, residential and dining halls, and other gathering places. We encourage you to use them frequently.
• PRACTICE RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Discard the tissue after it has been used. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF THE FLU. Fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The vast majority of individuals who contract the flu will have mild illness and will recover without medical treatment. If you’re suffering from severe symptoms, contact a health care provider.
• STAY HOME (OR IN YOUR RESIDENCE HALL ROOM) IF YOU HAVE FLU or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius or greater) or signs of a fever (chills, feel warm to the touch, flushed appearance or sweating). Limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Stay home or self-isolate yourself. Don't go to class or work. Professors will work with ill students to complete appropriate assignments, tests, etc. There will not be penalties for missing class because of illness with the flu.
• GET VACCINATED FOR THE SEASONAL FLU. The University Health Services is offering SEASONAL flu vaccines to UH students, faculty and staff and they are also available from personal physicians. Consult with a health care provider if you’re uncertain about whether to receive a vaccine. The cost is $15, which can be covered by your participating insurance. Please check with the front desk receptionist regarding your insurance coverage.
For UH students, the flu shot is given on a walk-in basis, Tuesdays through Fridays during our regular clinic hours (M-F: 8:30-12, 12:30-4; W: 8:30-12, 1:30-4). For more information go to: http://www.hawaii.edu/shs/
For UH faculty and staff, please call 956-6221 to schedule your flu shot appointment. Appointment dates and times are T: 1-3:15; W: 1:30-3:15; Th: 9-11, 1-3:15.
• Get up-to-date information on the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine, especially if you are in the priority group. The seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against 2009 H1N1 influenza. Supplies of the H1N1 vaccine are expected to be limited when they become available later in the fall, so priority will be given to high-risk groups — at the Mānoa campus the largest high-risk group is persons under the age of 25 years. For information about priority groups for vaccination, visit: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.
We will update you on the latest news and information as it becomes available. Campus plans of action will be implemented as appropriate in the event that there is a significant increase in the number of people who become ill with influenza. For more information about flu in our community and our UH Mānoa Response Plan, visit: http://www.manoa.hawaii.edu/emergency/
In the meantime, we encourage you to take the proper steps to stay healthy as we begin this academic year.
More information resources:
• University Health Services (956-8965) or http://www.hawaii.edu/shs/
• State Health Department – call 2-1-1 for the latest flu information or go to http://hawaii.gov/health/
• Centers for Disease Control’s 24-hour hotline - 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) or http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
Virginia S. Hinshaw
Chancellor
vhinshaw@hawaii.edu