UW-L H1N1 (swine) flu virus news and update
Refer to this site for all news and updates. All news and updates regarding the H1N1 (swine) flu virus will be posted here.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Submitted by Chancellor Joe Gow, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Dear colleagues and students:
If you were able to join us at yesterday’s all-university open forum then you heard me discuss an episode of influenza among several students and staff participating in one of our residential summer programs here at UW-L. In light of current international concerns about the spread of the H1N1 (or “swine”) flu we’re being extra careful to respond quickly to these kinds of situations. Consequently, even though we’ve had no confirmed H1N1 cases among the ill students and staff here for our Upward Bound (UB) program, we have suspended the program for several days to be sure the flu outbreak is fully contained.
Following a careful review of the illnesses being reported in the UB program, the UW-L emergency response team has postponed the program until Sunday, July 12 at 6:00 p.m. The students in the program have returned to their homes, and we are contacting their parents with information and asking that anyone who is feeling ill or becomes ill not return to our campus until they have physician approval.
Hopefully, we’ll see no further cases of influenza among our UB students. It’s very unfortunate that we’ve had to interrupt their program because it provides essential help in preparing the participants, traditionally underrepresented 9th through 12th graders, to pursue college degrees. But the students’ physical well-being must be our top priority, and our UB leadership is now making plans to extend the dates of the program so the students do not miss any critical material. If there are any further developments I’ll be sure to let you all know.
Also, this is a good time for all of us here at UW-L to take some very simple health precautions to remain safe and healthy this summer. A full explanation of these precautions—which include washing our hands thoroughly and often, covering our mouths when we cough, and washing surfaces that may be contaminated—can be found at the following Centers for Disease Control sites:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/guidelines_colleges.htm
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm
We hope we’ll see no further serious episodes of influenza on our campus. Please take care and enjoy the fine summer weather we’ve been experiencing. Thank you.
Best wishes,
Joe
Joe Gow, Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Friday, June 12, 2009
Submitted by Jason Kouba, Study Abroad Adviser, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
The Office of International Education is continuing to monitor the World Health Organization (WHO) and Department of State Web sites regarding the ongoing H1N1 (swine flu) situation. Yesterday the WHO raised the H1N1 alert to level 6 indicating that this is now a world wide pandemic. What this means is that the virus is wide spread and easily transmitted to other people.
It is extremely important to note what Dr. Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, stated in a press conference on June 11, 2009: “Globally, we have good reason to believe that this pandemic, at least in its early days, will be of moderate severity.”
Dr. Chan also stated that “On present evidence, the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment.”
The complete news conference can be found at:
www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_pandemic_phase6_20090611/en/index.html.
Students traveling and studying abroad (as well as within the United States) should continue to exercise preventative measures such as frequently washing hands and avoiding individuals who exhibit flu-like symptoms. OIE also urges students to follow the advice and instructions of the onsite support personnel at their host programs. Any students who begin to exhibit symptoms of H1N1 should seek medical attention immediately.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
As global concern surrounding the appearance and spread of the A/H1N1 swine flu virus in Mexico, the U.S., Canada and other countries around the world continues to intensify, the Office of International Education (OIE) is closely monitoring the situation.
We have been in contact with students and officials at the University of Veracruz where four UW-L students are currently studying abroad.
OIE is also monitoring the Web sites of several governmental agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of State, as well as news media from around the globe.
All students currently studying abroad have been advised to adhere to the precautions set forth by the CDC and World Health Organization and to follow the instructions of their host institution’s staff, as well as local health officials.
To date, OIE has not received a single report of swine flu on any of the 21 campuses currently hosting UW-L students. By listening to the advice and instructions of local medical personnel and university authorities, we are confident that our students will continue to remain safe.
There are currently two UW-L-sponsored study abroad programs scheduled in Mexico for summer 2009. At this time, OIE is following the recommendation of the Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration (CONAHEC) and postponing any official decision as to the status of these programs until Wednesday, May 6. This is the day upon which the closure of all schools in Mexico will expire and more information will become available.
OIE is in constant contact with the program directors in Xalapa and Puebla, Mexico. We will base our final decision on whether or not to offer the programs keeping the health and safety of UW-L students in the forefront of our minds.
For more on the swine flu, visit
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.
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