Pepperdine University continues to monitor the increasing numbers of H1N1 swine flu cases in the United States and California. At this point, there have been 27,717 confirmed cases of the virus in the United States, including 1,492 cases in California. Although Mexico has been hard-hit by this outbreak, the swine flu has thus far been very manageable and treatable in the United States; there has been one fatality and very few hospitalizations in the U.S. cases.

However, 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.