Employees urged to safeguard against H1N1 flu
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Campus employees are being advised to take precautions to guard against the spread of the H1N1 influenza virus.
In a memo distributed with paychecks on Sept. 4, Juan A. Jarrett, assistant vice chancellor for Human Resources, said the Centers for Disease Control have identified schools, including colleges and universities, “as workplaces which may be impacted greater by the H1N1 virus than other workplaces due to the concentration of children and young adults 5 to 24 years of age,” the group which has shown more susceptibility to the H1N1 virus.
Jarrett said reported cases of H1N1, or swine flu, have remained steady this year, and the CDC expects reported cases to increase dramatically during the upcoming flu season.
According to the memo, H1N1 influenza is a respiratory disease with symptoms very similar to seasonal flu. The most common symptoms are fever, body aches, cough and sore throat, but may also include, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting.
The memo identified several ways employees can take to help prevent the spread of germs that cause the flu and other respiratory illnesses in the workplace and at home:
• Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze and immediately discard tissue in the trash. If tissues aren’t available, cough or sneeze into your sleeve instead of into your hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The campus is placing hand sanitizers stations in high traffic areas throughout campus and is providing office areas with some hand sanitizer for general use.
• Limit or avoid close contact with people who exhibit flu-like symptoms.
Employees who have symptoms of influenza should contact their healthcare provider, who will decide the best course of action, said the memo.
“If you are diagnosed with the flu, follow your healthcare provider’s directions regarding the need to stay home and the appropriate time to return to work,” said Jarrett, who noted that the CDC says that individuals with flu-like symptoms should stay at home until free of symptoms, including any fever, for 24 hours.
“Adhering to your health care provider’s instructions will help in avoiding the spread of this illness to others in the workplace,” he said.
University Health Services is working with Residential Life staff to provide students with similar information to prevent the spread of influenza in residence halls and classrooms, said Jarrett.
More Information
Additional H1N1 flu information
Read the memo
September 8, 2009.
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