University of Maryland News

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:

Welcome back to campus! We are looking forward to another wonderful year at the University of Maryland. As the fall semester begins, we are preparing for the prediction of a widespread H1N1 flu outbreak. As you probably have read, people under 24 years old are expected to be more highly susceptible to the H1N1 virus. We are taking several steps to educate our population, prevent the spread of the virus, treat those who become ill, and continue to provide service during anticipated periods of student, faculty and staff absenteeism.

The Health Center and the University's Incident Response Team, convened by Vice President for Student Affairs Linda Clement, have reviewed the emergency preparedness plans and extended these plans to include the H1N1 influenza pandemic. Our H1N1 plan can be found at http://www.umd.edu/umnews/h1n1fall09.cfm. As you may know, the Novel H1N1 flu is widespread throughout the world. Fortunately, the vast majority of cases are mild and at this point appear no more severe than the seasonal flu. Cases of Novel H1N1 have already appeared on most college campuses and we expect to see more cases this fall.

In order to prepare for the possibility of illness and prevent the spread of the virus, there are some things you can do to be better prepared:

1) Create your own "Flu Kit" before any illness. Purchase non-aspirin fever-reducing medication (Tylenol, Advil, or similar brands), a thermometer, a decongestant, tissues, hand sanitizer, some surgical masks, soup, crackers, and decaffeinated tea or Gatorade type beverage.

Please note: Some people feel it necessary to wear masks when there is an outbreak of a virus. Please be aware it is most effective for those who are sick to wear a mask to keep from spreading germs through coughing and sneezing. Wearing a mask when you are well does little to keep you from catching a virus.

2) Get vaccinated for seasonal and H1N1 flu. We will be offering free seasonal flu shots to the first 2,000 people at a flu clinic in Ritchie Coliseum on October 15th. Watch for more information on this event. Consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

3) Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.

4) Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues into the trash. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.

5) Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.

If you do get the flu or flu-like illness

Don't go to class or work and stay home 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 signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen). Residential students should not attend classes and limit interactions with other people. If you are able to do so, we encourage you to travel by private car to your permanent home.

Speak with your health care provider if you are at risk for complications. People at high-risk for flu complications should speak with their health care providers as soon as possible. People with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes), lowered immunity (such as cancer, HIV) and over age 65 are at greater risk. Anyone who experiences shortness of breath, increasing fever, chest pain or pressure or rapid breathing should seek prompt medical attention.

Please notify the Health Center. Students who exhibit flu-like symptoms and choose not to visit the Health Center for any reason, should notify the campus about their illness by sending an e-mail to health@umd.edu.

Classes and Activities

Classes and other activities at UM (College Park) will open as scheduled this semester. The Incident Response Team will monitor the campus situation, working with the Prince George's County and the State of Maryland Health Department, and make recommendations regarding changes in or cancellations of campus activities on the basis of any flu outbreak. The Provost will make any decisions regarding the cancellation of classes. Any such decision will be communicated broadly to faculty, students and staff through email, the University of Maryland website and other communications.

For more information about flu in our community and what our institution is doing, visit http://www.umd.edu or http://www.health.umd.edu.

If you participate in a study abroad program, visit the Study Abroad website at http://www.international.umd.edu/studyabroad for updates and also http://www.cdc.gov/travel for health information for anyone traveling abroad.

For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit http://www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

We will notify you via the University's website about any additional changes to our institution's strategy to prevent the spread of flu on our campus. If you have additional questions, please contact Susan Smith at the Health Center at 301.314.8091 or ssmith15@umd.edu.

Sincerely,
Sacared Bodison, MD, MBA
Director, University Health Center

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This note was authorized for distribution to University of Maryland Community by: Dr. Linda Clement, Vice President, Division of Student Affairs