H1N1 Flu Information for Specific Groups CDC Data – August 2009

1. H1N1 FluInformation for Specific GroupsCDC Data – August 2009 College of Health Sciences Public Health Program August 26, 2009

2. Action Steps for Institutions of Higher Education to Prevent the Spread of Flu CDC Recommendations 8/20 : Institutions of Higher Education High Risk Populations Travelers Farmers

3. Keeping students, faculty and staff from getting sick • Advise sick students, faculty, and staff to stay at home; • Establish a method for maintaining contact with students who are sick; • Encourage students and staffat higher risk of complications from flu to check with their health care provider; and • Encourage students, faculty, and staff to find out if they should get vaccinated against seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu.

4. Keeping students, faculty and staff from getting sick • Discourage sick members of the public and sick visitors from attending institution-sponsored events; • Encourage students and staff to cover their mouths and noseswith a tissue; • Establish regular schedules for frequent cleaning of surfaces and items; • Provide disposable wipes; • Encourage students to frequently clean their living quarters.

5. If flu conditions are MORE severe, institutions should add the following steps: • Allow students, faculty, and staff at higher risk for complications to stay home.  • Find ways to increase social distances. • Extend the time sick students, faculty, or staff stay home or in their residence. • Consider how and when to suspend classes.

6. Recommendations for Travel to Areas Reporting H1N1 Flu • CDC recommends that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of flu discuss their travel plans with their doctor. Together, they should look carefully at the H1N1 flu situation in their destination and the available health-care options in the area. They should discuss their specific health situations and possible increased risk of traveling to the area affected by novel H1N1 flu.

7. Travelers at high risk for complications include: • Children less than 5 years of age • Persons aged 65 years or older • Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection • Pregnant women • Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders • Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)

8. What to do if you feel sick while traveling? • It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care. • If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, seek medical care. • A U.S. consular officer can help you find local medical care in a foreign country. To contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting, call Overseas Citizens Services at: 1-888-407-4747 if calling from the U.S. or Canada, 00-1-202-501-4444 if calling from other countries, or • Avoid further travel for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often with soap and running water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand gels are also effective. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. • Follow all local health recommendations. For example, if you are sick, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others or to stay in your home or hotel to prevent the spread of novel H1N1 flu.

9. People with the following health conditions may face special medical challenges during flu season: • Pregnancy • Cancer • Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease) • Chronic lung disease [including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)] • Diabetes • Heart disease • Kidney disorders • Liver disorders • Neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord) • Neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis) • People with weakened immune systems (including people with AIDS or those who are receiving chemotherapy)

10. Individuals with one of the health conditions listed, during a flu outbreak should: • Seek medical attention if you have a fever and symptoms of the flu. • Limit contact with crowds and avoid crowded places. • If you can’t avoid crowded settings, consider wearing a facemask or respirator to decrease your chances of getting infected. Be careful not to touch your face and wash your hands often. • It is estimated that staying at least six feet away from a person who sneezes or coughs may be a safe distance. • Talk with your doctor about having a two-week supply of medication.

11. Preventing spread of flu virus from people to pigs • Influenza is occasionally transmitted from people to pigs. If you have been diagnosed with flu or if you develop flu-like symptoms, take the steps listed above: seek medical care, limit your contact with others, and practice good personal hygiene. In addition to limiting your contact with people, you should avoid contact with pigs. You should also contact your veterinarian if you note signs of flu in a pig. Notify your veterinarian if the pig became ill two weeks before or after contacting a person with flu-like symptoms.

12. Recognizing the signs of flu in pigs Flu viruses are thought to spread from infected people and pigs to other people and pigs mostly through coughing or sneezing, and through contact with surfaces contaminated by flu viruses. To prevent flu viruses from spreading between people and pigs, it is important for people working with pigs to recognize the signs of flu in pigs. Typically a combination of signs will occur together in infected pigs. Signs of flu in pigs can include any of the following: • sudden onset of fever • lethargy, lack of alertness • going off feed (poor appetite) • coughing (barking) • discharge from the nose or eyes, eye redness or inflammation • sneezing • breathing difficulties

13. Preventing spread of flu viruses from pigs to people If possible, people should avoid getting close (within 6 feet) to pigs known or suspected to be infected and/or their environment. However, if you must come in contact with pigs known or suspected to be infected, or their environment, you should use appropriate protective measures and practice good personal hygiene.