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/.