H1N1 Flu update: 8 a.m., June 18, 2009

To UWM Campus Community--

Last week, the World Health Organization raised the level of its pandemic influenza alert from phase 5 to phase 6—the highest possible level. This means that the H1N1 influenza virus outbreak is global (it has caused sustained community-level outbreaks in two or more countries and in two or more regions of the world).

Comprehensive information about the H1N1 virus can be found on the websites of WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

No new guidelines were offered to the United States or Wisconsin when the phase 6 alert was announced.

On June 11, however, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius issued a joint letter urging schools to plan for a continuing response to the virus this fall. They relayed the concern, expressed by scientists and public health experts, that the virus at that time may be a more severe strain, causing more serious and life-threatening illness.

The CDC continues to recommend the following everyday actions to stay healthy:

• 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 hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Additional guidelines are available online.

Please refer to the May 22, 2009, message for more information specific to UWM.

Students taking classes this summer at UWM are receiving information regarding protecting themselves and the community from H1N1 flu. Students and parents participating in UWM freshman orientation sessions this summer are also receiving information.

This website will be updated when there is a major event related to H1N1 flu.

For the most up-to-date general information, please use the links on the right of the flu website, which are updated frequently.

Sincerely,

UWM Emergency Operations Team