Information re: H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)

Message from President Michele D. Perkins

Message from the NEC Wellness Center

Swine Flu FAQs

________________________________________________________

Message from President Michele D. Perkins:

April 29, 2009

To the NEC Community,

New England College has been closely monitoring the progression of swine flu in the United States. Currently, there are no cases reported in New Hampshire.

In anticipation of the possibility of swine flu reaching New Hampshire, the College has begun extensive preparations to inform the community and manage potential cases at the College. A task force was convened as soon as the issue was made public. The group has already met and will review their progress, discuss new developments, and refine their plan at the end of this week.

The following action has been taken:

• Information has been posted on the front page of the website, under the parent’s area, and in the Wellness Center area;

• The same information has been sent by email to all faculty, staff, and students;

• Students have been encouraged to share this information with their families;

• As one of the primary methods of protecting oneself from this and other types of illness is frequent hand washing, the College has purchased large quantities of hand sanitizer. The hand sanitizer has been delivered to College buildings and our Campus Ops staff will be looking into installing dispensers of hand sanitizer at the entrances of several College buildings;

• Several staff members have been traveling out of the country over the past week. They have been informed of the actions taken at the College and have been requested to remain off campus until they are certain that they are not exhibiting any symptoms that could be associated with swine flu;

• The task force has begun to look at possible scenarios for treating students should the need arise;

• With Commencement on the horizon, the College will be looking at opportunities to prevent the spread of infection should the number of cases of swine flu continue to grow in the U.S.

I will continue to update you concerning this situation.

With regards,
Michele Perkins
President

________________________________________________________

Message from the NEC Wellness Center:

April 28, 2009

Members of the College Community,

This letter will provide you with some basic information about a new swine flu that was recently identified in Mexico and has spread to Scotland, Canada and the United States. Please share this information with other members of your family.

Many people get sick each year with the “seasonal” flu during the fall and winter months. However, there is a new flu virus called swine influenza that has caused a few people to get exhibit the same symptoms as the seasonal flu: fever, chills, sore throat, cough, headache and body aches (and sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea). It appears that this new swine influenza has spread from animals and can now be transmitted from person to person.

You may be concerned that this swine influenza virus is thought to have caused the death of more than 150 people in Mexico. As of April 28, 2009, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting 113 confirmed cases in other countries. It’s important to know that most of the people who fallen ill in the United States have had a very mild illness. This situation is evolving and we can expect that more cases will soon be identified. At present, there are no reported cases of swine influenza in New Hampshire (NH).

We will do all that we can to try to prevent transmission of the swine flu within the college community. For now, the college will remain open.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services tells us that students who are not ill can safely attend classes. This includes students with history of travel to affected geographic areas (as long as they don’t exhibit flu-like symptoms). If the swine flu reaches our region, the, closing of the college and sending students home may be considered. The purpose of the closing would be to slow the spread of flu by keeping community members away from each other.

Students displaying symptoms should immediately utilize services at the Wellness Center. Faculty and staff members displaying symptoms should contact their primary care providers or go to a local hospital.

It’s important to keep informed about what’s happening. You can get current information at the following places:

• CDC website: www.cdc.go/swineflu

• NH Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/DHHS_SITE/default.htm

• NH Department of Health and Human Services Communicable Disease Section:  603-271-4496

• Swine Influenza Hotline: 1-888-330-6764

• Federal Government:  www.pandemicflu.gov

Finally, I have attached a document containing swine flu FAQs for your immediate referral. Please contact the Wellness Center at NEC (603) 428- 2253 with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Ridinger, ARNP
Director, Wellness Center

________________________________________________________

Swine Flu FAQs

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand-washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.  If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.  If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care. Emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting