H1N1 Planning Update
August 21, 2009
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
We are looking forward to the start of the fall semester, meeting our new students and welcoming back our returning ones. Here is an update on how the University plans to address any possible H1N1 flu outbreak on campus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "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." However, the virus has been shown to affect young people disproportionately.
The University takes the safety of its faculty, staff and students very seriously. We have developed a pandemic plan, which can be found online at: http://www.police.uoguelph.ca/pdf/PandemicPlan/PandemicPlan.pdf
As you would expect, particular attention is being paid to residences. All of our efforts are co-ordinated with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, which will continue to provide advice.
Our primary focus is on prevention. We encourage you to educate yourself on this issue and take appropriate preventive measures. Specifically, we remind everyone of the importance of staying home if you have symptoms of influenza, which include fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, fatigue, severe headache, sore throat and lack of appetite. Public Health recommends that individuals remain at home until 24 hours after the fever has broken or you are symptom-free. You should also cover
your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, practise proper hand-washing and ensure that your vaccinations are up-to-date. Details about routine preventive actions are available at the Wellington- Dufferin - Guelph Public Health Website.
Public Health will offer seasonal flu shots on campus and encourages everyone to be vaccinated. Information on these clinics, as well as clinics offered off-campus, will be made available when known.
For your reference, the following websites provide up-to-date helpful information, and a list of contacts is provided should you have any questions or concerns:
Websites:
University of Guelph H1N1
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health the Wellington- Dufferin - Guelph Public Health Website
Public Health Agency of Canada Website
Contacts:
Students: Student Health Services at Ext. 54333.
Faculty and Staff: Occupational Health at Ext. 52133.
The Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health unit also offers a call-in line at 1-800-265-7293.
The University will continue to update the community via the homepage, through its H1N1 information link, including information about H1N1 vaccine distribution through Public Health.
Yours truly,
Maureen Mancuso, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) and
Nancy Sullivan, Vice-President (Finance and Administration)
