University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

• Print

• Comments

By SUE WUETCHER

Published: November 2, 2009

Cases of influenza-like illness are on the rise at UB and in the community, and university officials are reminding faculty, staff and students that they should continue to take measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Jim Reger, emergency planning program manager for Environment, Health and Safety Services, notes that although more instances of flu-like illnesses are being reported on campus, the numbers are still minor and have not contributed to a change in operations at the university.

But it remains crucial that members of the UB community take precautions to curb the spread of illness, Reger stresses. Those measures include such simple activities as frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizer in common areas and coughing or sneezing into a sleeve or tissue.

But perhaps the most critical precaution faculty, staff and students can take is to stay home if they are sick, he notes.

University Human Resources has posted a document on its Web site that outlines UB’s sick leave policy, and Provost Satish K. Tripathi has asked faculty members to consider altering absenteeism policies for sick students so that their academic concerns do not prevent them from staying home when ill or prompt them to return to class or take exams while they are still symptomatic and potentially infectious.

Student Health Services has received a limited number of doses of H1N1 vaccine and is distributing them per Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to students who are at high risk, Reger says.

UB’s traditional clinics held last month to distribute seasonal flu vaccine were suspended early due to high demand.

Reger advises other students, as well as faculty and staff who are interested in getting the H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccines, to contact their health care providers.

For detailed information on the H1N1 influenza, including symptoms, what you should do if you develop symptoms and how to protect yourself from contracting and spreading infectious diseases, go to the Emergency Information and Resources Web site. The site features a page with specific information for faculty and staff.