UB monitors swine flu, issues precautionary reminders

The University at Buffalo's Emergency Preparedness team is closely and proactively monitoring developments that have occurred over the past several days to the rapidly changing swine flu outbreak. The team will provide updates, as necessary, to the UB community about how these developments may affect UB. Please consult UB's Emergency Preparedness Web site (http://www.emergency.buffalo.edu) for updates.

It is important to know that there are no reported cases of swine flu at UB or within Erie County. We believe it is prudent for members of the UB community to remain aware of this situation and follow recommendations put forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding personal health and travel.

Travel Advisory

In light of the current situation in Mexico, we recommend that all UB faculty, staff and students adhere to the travel warning (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel) issued yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico until further notice.

Self Monitoring and Health Precautions

We encourage everyone to monitor his or her own personal health and exercise illness-prevention methods recommended by the CDC. Symptoms of swine flu closely resemble seasonal flu and include fever, weakness, coughing and lack of appetite. People who have swine flu may also have nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and/or a runny nose and sore throat.

Most of the swine flu cases in the U.S. have been reported as mild. These individuals are recovering quickly and completely. It is expected that more cases will be confirmed over the course of the next several days to weeks.

The best way to prevent swine flu is to continue to follow infection control steps including:

 Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow sleeve (not your hand) when you sneeze.

 Wash your hands often with soap and water and use hand sanitizers.

 Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent germs from spreading.

 Don't share utensils, drinks or cigarettes with others.

 Avoid contact with sick people.

Additional helpful information is available from the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

On April 30, the Centers for Disease Control issued guidelines for institutions of higher education designed to assist their preparations for dealing with the H1N1 flu (swine flu). Those guidelines are available at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/college-alert.htm. UB's Emergency Preparedness Team is using those guidelines to inform the university's preparations.

Generally, the incubation period of the swine flu is 3-7 days. If you have recently traveled to areas where swine flu cases have been identified (San Diego County and Imperial County, California; San Antonio, Texas; Dickinson County, Kansas; Lorain County, Ohio; New York City and Mexico) and become ill with influenza-like symptoms as described above, you may want to contact your health care provider. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

Symptoms

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care. In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

Whom to Contact

New York has set up a 24-hour hotline to answer questions at 1-800-808-1987.

For UB information and care options, contact 716-829-3316.