As Pepperdine has commenced its fall semester, the University has been notified of several cases of confirmed influenza and suspected H1N1 influenza amongst our University community members. As the semester progresses, it is highly likely that additional cases will be confirmed and that greater numbers of our community will encounter individuals with suspected H1N1. Pepperdine continues to work closely with the Los Angeles Department of Public Health and in consultation with local and state health officials to address the situation. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to review earlier postings for best practices for staying healthy.

Individuals with a temperature greater than 100ºF and experiencing influenza-like symptoms are urged to avoid close contact with others and contact their health care provider for advice on treatment. Pepperdine students who are ill are encouraged to contact the Student Health Center at (310) 506-4316 or the toll free, 24-hour nursing advice line at 1-800-413-0848. If you believe you may have been exposed to influenza or have other related questions, please contact your healthcare provider. If you are diagnosed with an influenza-like-illness (ILI), influenza A or H1N1 influenza or your doctor suspects it, please notify the University so that we may take appropriate steps. Residential students should contact their RD; commuter students are urged to contact the Student Health Center during regular business hours.

At this time all campuses remain open and operations will continue as normal. Pepperdine’s Emergency Operations Committee, in conjunction with the Student Health Center and Los Angeles Department of Public Health, will continue to monitor this situation and will communicate any relevant information to the University community.

Additional information on the H1N1 Pandemic is available by visiting the following Web sites:

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – cdc.gov/h1n1flu
• LA County Public Health (LACPH) – lapublichealth.org

Pepperdine Students, Faculty, and Staff:

We are writing to provide you with updated information regarding the pandemic H1N1 flu (previously referred to as Swine Flu) and to remind you of the continued importance of taking appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of this virus as well as the other seasonal viruses easily spread in an academic or work setting.

As you may know, the pandemic H1N1 virus is widespread throughout the world and has already appeared on many college campuses nation wide.  To date, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than one million Americans have been infected by the pandemic H1N1 virus, with most patients reporting mild flu-like symptoms and recovering on their own without medical treatment. However, in the United States, a reported 8,843 individuals have been hospitalized and 556 cases have been fatal. To put this figure into context, approximately 36,000 Americans die each year from seasonal flu viruses.

Pepperdine is closely monitoring the pandemic H1N1 virus and continues to follow the guidelines dictated by the CDC and local health officials to best protect those on our campuses and our community members traveling domestically and abroad.  Members of the University’s Emergency Operations Committee (EOC), the Office of Insurance and Risk, and the Student Health Center have collaborated with departments across the University to prepare for and mitigate risks of pandemic H1N1 virus exposure.

For many years, Pepperdine has had emergency plans in place to address wide-ranging campus issues and health concerns that could affect our community.  The Office of Insurance & Risk has updated the University’s Pandemic Plan to address both a minimally virulent (like the current pandemic) as well as a highly virulent pandemic.  Additionally, Insurance and Risk maintains a daily monitoring process to ensure the EOC is informed of the latest pandemic H1N1 flu statistics and related guidelines set forth by the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), and local government health officials.

Classes and Campus Activities

At this time, all campuses remain open and operations are continuing as normal.  The University’s EOC, in conjunction with the Student Health Center and Los Angeles Department of Public Health, will continue to collaborate and take all necessary precautions regarding changes in or cancellations of campus activities on the basis of any pandemic H1N1 flu outbreak.  Any such decisions will be communicated broadly to the University community through e-mail and/or other communications modes.

Currently, the CDC and Los Angeles County Health Department do not recommend closing a school, campus, or canceling activities in the event of an outbreak.  The decision to do so will be carefully evaluated after reviewing the unique circumstances of each event and using the following criteria:

• Severity of illness;
• Onset of illness at the school;
• Level of illness (number of students and/or faculty/staff that are sick);
• Unique issues specific to each school;

Illness Prevention

As dictated by the CDC, it is important for all faculty, staff, and students to practice the following personal precautions to reduce the spread of many types of illnesses:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid sharing food and drinks with others.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick. The CDC recommends that people with flu-like illness remain at home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to obtain medical care or other necessities.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  Close contact is defined by the CDC as within six feet of another person.
• Stay healthy by exercising regularly, getting ample sleep, drinking plenty of water, and eating nutritious foods.
• Talk to your health care provider if you have a chronic health condition or are pregnant as you may be at greater risk for complications from the flu if you become ill.
• Consider obtaining a seasonal flu vaccination. Students call the Student Health Center at (310) 506-4316 for a free vaccine. Faculty and Staff contact the University’s Wellness Program at (310) 506-4397.
• Make a plan in case you would like to return home or stay with a relative if you become ill.
• Familiarize yourself with your personal medical plan and ensure you have any necessary documentation such as your medical insurance card.

Symptoms and Response

The symptoms of the pandemic H1N1 virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.  A significant number of individuals who have been infected with the virus have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.

If a student develops a fever greater than 100ºF or 37.8°C and is experiencing flu-like symptoms, he/she is urged to call the Student Health Center at (310) 506-4316 or the toll-free, 24-hour nursing advice line 1-800-413-0848 to determine if they require testing or treatment for their illness.  Students at our International Programs sites should contact their program director.

If a staff or faculty member develops a fever greater than 100ºF or 37.8°C and is experiencing flu-like symptoms, he/she is urged to stay home and contact their healthcare provider for guidance.

Vaccinations

Pandemic H1N1 Flu – The CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services are planning a large scale pandemic H1N1 flu vaccination campaign this fall.  Distribution of the vaccine will be managed by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.  Reports indicate that the H1N1 vaccine will be available as early as October.  According to the CDC, based on supply, access to the vaccine may be restricted to those who are considered to be at a high risk.

Currently, the CDC considers those at “high risk” to be:

• People between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age;
• Health care and emergency services personnel;
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age;
• People from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for complications from pandemic H1N1 flu infection because of chronic  health disorders or compromised immune systems.

While government testing of the pandemic H1N1 vaccine continues, the University remains in close contact with local and federal health officials and will likely follow the guidelines and recommendations set forth by the CDC and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health with respect to endorsing the vaccine.

Seasonal Flu – The University’s Wellness Program, within the Center for Human Resources, will offer the seasonal flu vaccine at both the Malibu and West LA campuses.  The seasonal flu shots are free for all benefited employees and will be available for several days beginning mid-September.  Also, the Student Health Center will offer the seasonal flu vaccine at minimal cost to students in October.  The Office of Insurance and Risk is working with the International Programs directors to ensure students in these programs have the opportunity to receive the seasonal flu vaccination.

Pepperdine fully recognizes the importance of planning and taking appropriate action to ensure the well-being for our community.  As we monitor the H1N1 pandemic around the world, it is our goal to provide timely, open communication throughout the course of the pandemic.

Thank you for your continued efforts to keep our community safe.

Additional Information and Questions

Information on the pandemic H1N1 virus is available on the following Web sites:

• Center for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
• Los Angeles County Public Health Department, www.lapublichealth.org
• Pepperdine Emergency Information Page, http://emergency.pepperdine.edu

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the University.

For students please call:

• The Student Health Center at (310) 506-4316
• The Dean of Students Office at (310) 506-4472.

For faculty and staff please call:

The Center for Human Resources at (310) 506-4397

Thank you,

Lauren W. Cosentino
Associate Vice President
Human Resources, Insurance & Risk
Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University continues to monitor the increasing number of pandemic H1N1 influenza cases worldwide. At this point, there have been 7,983 hospitalizations and 522 deaths from cases of the virus in the United States. Although parts of the world have been hard-hit by this outbreak, the pandemic virus has thus far been very manageable and treatable in the United States.

Pepperdine’s Emergency Operations Committee, the Office of Insurance & Risk, and the Student Health Center are carefully monitoring this outbreak and will communicate any information that is relevant to the University community. Additionally, University officials remain in close contact with local and other public health officials. Incoming information is synthesized with the University’s own plans. Plans and procedures developed during the Avian (H5N1) Flu and SARS episodes guide us now.

If you are diagnosed with Influenza A or your doctor suspects it, please notify the University so that we may take appropriate steps. To do so, please call 310/506-4700 at any time during the day or night. We will share additional information with you as it becomes available.

Outlined below are guidelines that may be helpful:

Stay home when you are sick.
Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness and likely recover faster yourself. Note that most cases of influenza are not swine flu (H1N1). If you are exhibiting flu symptoms please see your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Consider: The CDC recommends staying at home for 7 days after onset of symptoms or for 24-48 hours after symptoms resolve (10 days for children).

Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used Kleenex properly. If no Kleenex is available, cover your mouth and nose in the crook of your elbow to avoid passing germs onto your hands.

Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often with soap and warm water will protect you from germs. When soap and water are not available, utilize alcohol-based hand-sanitizer at home, work, and your car.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Stay healthy.
Remember to exercise regularly, get an ample amount of sleep, drink lots of water daily, manage your stress level, eat nutritious foods, and avoid close contact with those who are sick.

Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others so you don’t spread germs. Close contact is defined by the CDC as “within 6 feet of another person.”

Persons at high risk for complications of influenza such as those with chronic illnesses (i.e. asthma), immune deficiency, or other health concerns should try to avoid public gatherings.
When possible, allow others to perform errands for you or initiate home delivery of groceries and other necessary supplies.

If a virus seems to be passing from person-to-person in your department or office space, consider these suggestions:
• Acquire disposable, bleach wipes for the office and wipe down doorknobs, the refrigerator handle, microwave oven, bottled water dispenser, break room water faucets, telephones, and keyboards regularly, etc.
• Use hand-sanitizer often.
• Wash your hands often.

Stay Calm.
A seemingly continuous stream of media reports about H1N1 swine flu may cause anyone to feel uneasy, anxious, or worried. These feelings are understandable due to the many unknowns of the situation. Even in times of uncertainty there are several resources available to assist with anxiety and moving towards a positive outlook. Tips are available on Pepperdine’s Counseling Center Web site at http://services.pepperdine.edu/counselingcenter/.

Students who develop fever greater than 100ºF or 37.8°C and are experiencing influenza-like symptoms are urged to call the Student Health Center at (310) 506-4316 or the toll-free, 24-hour hotline PEP RN Oncall at 1-800-413-0848 to determine if they require testing or treatment for their illness. Staff and faculty should contact their health care provider for guidance. If you believe you may have been exposed to influenza or have other related questions, please contact the appropriate healthcare provider referenced above.

For the very latest information on the current outbreak of swine flu, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

Today, Pepperdine received notification that a student attending classes at the West Los Angeles campus has been diagnosed with Influenza A. At this point, further testing is required to determine whether this is a case of the H1N1 strain of Influenza A. In close consultation with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and University health officials, the University is taking precautions to protect the health and safety of the community. Those who have had contact with the affected student are being notified and advised about monitoring themselves. Janitorial services last week were asked to begin additional cleaning protocols for increased disinfection. Tomorrow, hand sanitizer stations will be delivered to WLA as well as the other campuses in Southern California.

Symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal influenza and may be no more severe than the seasonal flu. The symptoms include a fever greater than 100ºF combined with runny nose, sore throat, or coughing. Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Individuals who develop fever greater than 100ºF and are experiencing flu-like symptoms are encouraged to seek medical treatment. Students may call the University Student Health Center at 310/506-4316 during normal business hours. Students can also seek advice from the 24/7 nursing advice line by calling 800/413-0848. If you are diagnosed with Influenza A or your doctor suspects it, please notify the University so that we may take appropriate steps. To do so, please call 310/506-4700 at any time during the day or night. We will share additional information with you as it becomes available.

If you have questions, you may contact Insurance & Risk at 310/506-4410.

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the health risks of travel to Mexico at this time due to an outbreak of H1N1 “swine flu.”  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an April 27 notice recommending that American citizens avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico at this time.  CDC’s notice also suggests precautions that travelers and U.S. citizen residents in Mexico can take to reduce their risk of infection while in Mexico.  CDC provides recommendations for those who must travel to an area that has reported cases of swine flu, and recommends measures to take following return from an area that has reported cases of swine flu.  The complete CDC notice can be found at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/.  Please check this site frequently for updates. This Travel Alert expires on July 27, 2009.