H1N1 Flu update: 8 a.m., May 22, 2009

To UWM Campus Community--

Over the past three weeks you have regularly received updates from the Campus Emergency Operations Team addressing H1N1 Flu and our community.

The rapidly evolving situation has now stabilized. The H1N1 virus, however, is still circulating in Milwaukee and on a national and international level. While it is now not daily news, H1N1 influenza continues to have significant impact on individuals in our community with cases continuing to be diagnosed. If a person is diagnosed, the recommendation by local public health authorities continues to be to remain out of the workplace and/or school for seven days.

Individuals who travel (particularly outside of the United States) may also be impacted as countries’ public health response to H1N1 flu has varied. Travelers to the Southern Hemisphere between May and October should be aware that they will be traveling in the middle of that region’s annual influenza season

The Campus Emergency Operations Team will continue to meet regularly throughout the summer, as will the Pandemic Influenza Planning and Response Team. Several smaller working groups will be reviewing continuity of operations plans for academic and other critical departments, policies related to student and faculty absenteeism, communication and healthcare delivery.

The Emergency Operations Team also will be working with state and local public health authorities to review the potential impacts at our university. Also as new individuals join our community this summer and fall, the team will be including information in their orientation materials that advise them to stay at home when ill and to practice good hygiene. More than 100 new hand sanitizers have been placed around campus to help all of us keep up with frequent hand-washing recommendations.

The team will be providing FAQs, general information, planning material and prevention tips throughout the summer. They can be found at www.flu.uwm.edu.

--Campus Emergency Operations Team

Flu Message to UWM Commencement Audience (May 13, 2009)

Dear UWM Graduation Candidate,

As our planning for UWM’s May 17 Commencement ceremonies continues, we wanted to share with you the current information and insights being offered by the university and health care professionals regarding Novel Influenza A, which is also called H1N1 Flu and Swine Flu.

1. Both May 17 UWM ceremonies are currently scheduled to be held as planned. This is consistent with current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Black Ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and the Gold Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. More information about the ceremonies is available at http://www.grads.uwm.edu.

2. Health-care officials continue to stress that people experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home, and that frequent hand washing is the best way to limit the spread of influenza in our community.

3. Novel Influenza A is circulating in our community, with more than 300 cases in Milwaukee County as of May 11. The CDC recommends:

“Persons who are at high risk of complications from Novel Influenza A (H1N1) infection (for example, persons with certain chronic medical conditions, children less than 5 years, persons 65 years or older, and pregnant women) should consider their risk of exposure to novel influenza if they attend public gatherings in communities where Novel Influenza A virus is circulating. In communities with several reported cases of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, persons who are at risk of complications from influenza should consider staying away from public gatherings.”

4. In addition to the restrooms with hand-washing facilities located throughout the U.S. Cellular Arena, the site of the commencement ceremonies, there will be limited hand sanitizers available. Bringing tissues and hand sanitizers for personal use is suggested.

5. The UWM Commencement will be available on DVD following the ceremonies for $10 each from the Office of the Secretary of the University: http://www.commencementdvd.uwm.edu

Campus authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, in communication with officials at the City of Milwaukee Health Department, and regularly updating information related to Novel Influenza A that is pertinent to UWM at www.emergency.uwm.edu.

Sincerely,

UWM Emergency Operations Team

H1N1 Flu update: 11:30 a.m., May 12, 2009

From the UWM Emergency Operations Team:

Today, three cases of H1N1 Flu were confirmed among the UWM community. None live in university housing. We anticipate that additional cases will be confirmed given the widespread nature of the virus in Milwaukee (319 confirmed cases in Milwaukee County as of May 11).

The local health departments from where the three UWM individuals reside are working primarily with the members of their households. All individuals exposed to the flu, including those who live in the same residence as a confirmed case, can continue their normal activities as outlined in local, state and national guidelines if they have no symptoms. Individuals should contact their health professional if they have concerns or medical problems and monitor themselves for symptoms.

UWM remains open, and final examinations and commencement are currently scheduled to proceed as planned.

Please continue to wash your hands frequently and stay home if you have flu-like symptoms. These are the best ways to limit the spread of influenza in our community.

For additional information on H1N1 Flu see the new UWM H1N1 Swine Flu FAQ

If you are a class instructor and have particular concerns about a potential case of H1N1 Flu in a class you teach, please contact Laura Pedrick in the Office of the Provost, (414) 229-3203, lpedrick@uwm.edu.

Any student who needs additional general assistance and has general questions during this time should be in touch with Office of the Dean of Students, 414-229-4632.

H1N1 Swine Flu Frequently Asked Questions

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
H1N1 Swine Flu Frequently Asked Questions

Printable version (pdf)

Q: What is the status of H1N1 (Swine Flu) on campus?

A: The university Emergency Operations Team continues its ongoing surveillance and risk assessment for campus. Regular updates will continue being posted to http://emergency.uwm.edu. The university is taking guidance from the City of Milwaukee Health Department and the CDC recommendations for colleges and universities.

Visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/guidelines_colleges.htm

Q. How will the university handle confirmed or probable cases of H1N1 on campus?

A. With guidance from the CDC and the City of Milwaukee Health Department as of 5/5/09 there are clear recommendations that support schools continuing their classes and large events. Initial guidance and actions by public health authorities were based on uncertainty about the severity of the illness, which is now suspected to be similar in severity to seasonal influenza.

You should periodically check this site for updates.

Q. What do I do if I’m sick leading up to or during final exams?

A. Contact your instructor or professor to discuss provisions to make up missed coursework or exams. Faculty and staff have been asked to be flexible in dealing with flu-related absences. Any student who needs additional general assistance or has general questions during this time should contact the Office of the Dean of Students, 414-229-4632. Any student who feels particularly anxious about the influenza situation or are in need of support at this stressful time of year, contact the Norris Health Center's Counseling Center at 414-229-4716.

CDC recommendations state that students with the flu, or experiencing symptoms (i.e., fever with either cough or sore throat) should stay in their dorm rooms or at home for
7 days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.


Q. What about commencement ceremonies?

A. Based on advice from the City of Milwaukee Health Department and the CDC that canceling large events is unnecessary, UWM is proceeding with commencement ceremonies. Graduates and their guests are encouraged to participate but are advised to follow precautionary measures.

The university will provide hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility during the commencement ceremonies.

If you or someone in your family has the flu or is showing flu-like symptoms, please remain home and contact your physician. A part of good public health practice is to limit your contact with other people and to stay home to reduce the spread of the virus.

If you’re unable to attend commencement, your diploma will be mailed to the address listed in PAWS sometime in June.

Q. I am concerned about being exposed to H1N1. What should I do?

A. The best plan is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water. UWM is doing everything in its power to reduce the risk of potential exposure on campus and has placed hand sanitizer stations in high-traffic areas. In general, you can follow your normal routine, including going to class and large group activities. Individuals who are at high risk for complications should, as per CDC recommendations, consider their risk of exposure attending large public gatherings and contact their personal health-care provider with questions.


Q. What if I have been exposed to the flu but have no symptoms?

A. There are many individuals being tested for H1N1 influenza in our community and we will get more information each day. The City of Milwaukee Health Department directly works with the households and close contacts of individuals who have been diagnosed with H1N1. If you are certain you’ve been directly exposed, you can follow the City of Milwaukee Health Department recommendations which currently state that asymptomatic contacts of ill patients, including contacts of patients with probable or confirmed novel influenza A (H1N1)/2009, are not restricted in their activities in the community. Individuals who fall into high risk categories should contact their healthcare provider for guidance. All individuals should assess their own health frequently, and if they become ill they should immediately contact their health professional.

Q. What are the symptoms of H1N1 and how are they different from other
illnesses?

A. With the information that we have currently have, H1N1 symptoms appear to be similar to seasonal influenza. These symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Some of these symptoms overlap with common spring issues that students experience, such as colds, strep throat, mono or a flare of seasonal allergies. If your temperature is above 100 degrees and you have other symptoms described above, call your health care provider for advice.

Q. If I’m experiencing flu-like symptoms, what should I do?

A. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you should stay home or go home.

It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care.
Contact your health care provider if you have any concerns or you or someone you are in close contact with are at high risk for flu complications. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed. As the flu has become more wide spread, CDC and local public health authorities have issued guidance that in general, individuals with mild illness who are not at risk for complications or healthcare workers do not usually need to be tested or treated, but should work with their health professional.
Antiviral drugs can be given to treat those who become severely ill with influenza.
Visit the CDC’s information as of 5/7/09: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

Q. What if I do have the flu or flu-like symptoms and live in the residence halls?

A. Stay in your dorm room and call your health care provider and the Norris Health Center at 414-229-4716. If you are advised to isolate yourself and are unable to return home, University Housing has a limited number of rooms where you could follow your health-care provider’s recommendation to remain isolated. Contact University Housing at 414-229-6123 and ask to speak to the RPM on Duty.

Q. If I have general questions about H1N1, whom should I contact?

A. There are several links to health resources on the emergency.uwm.edu site. You may also call the City of Milwaukee hotline at 414-286-3616. Norris patients can call 414-229-6668 to get their general questions answered as well.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) update: 6 p.m. May 7, 2009

Even though all individuals seen and tested at the UWM Norris Health Center have had negative results, the reality is the H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) is circulating in the community. There is the possibility that one or more cases of H1N1 flu will be identified within a member of our UWM community.

That said, UWM remains open and continues to expect the schedule for classes, final examinations and commencement to proceed as planned. This perspective is consistent with the evolving response strategy from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The UWM Emergency Operations Team continues to meet and today developed the following suggestions related to campus community developments:

• If you are aware of a potential case of H1N1 Flu and are concerned that you have been in contact with that individual, please contact your healthcare professional. Healthcare professionals are working with the City of Milwaukee Health Department and other local health departments. The health departments are the central repository for such information and do the case investigations. UWM health officials are in frequent contact with city health officials.
• If you are a class instructor and have particular concerns about a potential case of H1N1 Flu in a class you teach, please contact Laura Pedrick in the Office of the Provost, (414) 229-3203, lpedrick@uwm.edu. Note that in her May 5, 2009, message to the campus, Provost Rita Cheng asked faculty and staff to be flexible in dealing with flu-related absences. The City of Milwaukee Health Department is not recommending that classes or exams be canceled in the event that a student in the class is diagnosed with H1N1, and the Division of Academic Affairs asks that affected students handle makeup work or exams on an individual basis with their instructors.
• Any student who needs additional general assistance and has general questions during this time should be in touch with Office of the Dean of Students, 414-229-4632.
• Any student feeling particularly anxious about the influenza situation or in need of support at this stressful time of year should contact the Norris Health Center's Counseling Center at 414-229-4716.
• Please continue to wash your hands frequently and stay home if you have flu-like symptoms. These are the best ways to limit the spread of influenza in our community.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) update (6 p.m. May 5, 2009)

May 5, 2009

To UWM Students:

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, the UWM Emergency Operations Team has not been informed of any confirmed or probable cases of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) at UWM.

The campus continues to remain open and regular attendance policies are in effect. Students are expected to attend classes if not sick. We fully expect the schedule for the last week of classes, final examinations, and commencement to proceed as planned.

In a message this morning to UWM faculty and staff, Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Rita Cheng requested instructors’ cooperation with respect to students who may be affected by the influenza. She asked for an accommodation for students who are experiencing flu-like symptoms by excusing their absence from class and making provisions for them to make up missed course work or exams.

Any student who needs additional general assistance and has general questions during this time should be in touch with Office of the Dean of Students, 414-229-4632. Any student feeling particularly anxious about the influenza situation or in need of support at this stressful time of year should contact the Norris Health Center's Counseling Center at 414-229-4716.

The complete message from Provost Cheng can be seen at the UW-Milwaukee Emergency Information website:

http://www.emergency.uwm.edu/

Please continue to monitor that website for UWM-specific information related to H1N1 Flu. And please continue to wash your hands frequently and stay home if you have flu-like symptoms. These are the best ways to limit the spread of influenza in our community.
_______________________________________________

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Message to Faculty and Staff

Colleagues,

As of 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, we have not been informed of any confirmed or probable cases of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) at UWM. We fully expect the schedule for the last week of classes, final examinations, and commencement to proceed as planned.

As Milwaukee deals with an increasing number of H1N1 influenza cases, I would like to request your cooperation with respect to students who may be affected. I ask that you make an accommodation for students who are experiencing flu-like symptoms by excusing their absence from class and making provisions for them to make up missed course work or exams. Students should not come to campus if they show the following symptoms of flu: fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and cough or sore throat.

If students who are not sick seek accommodations, please emphasize that the campus is open and that regular attendance policies are in effect. If you are concerned about a student who is feeling particularly anxious about the situation, or feel that a student needs support, please refer him/her to the Dean of Students, Jim Hill, (jimhill@uwm.edu) who will determine how to best work with the student's concerns during this stressful time.

Campus authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, in communication with officials at the City of Milwaukee Health Department, and regularly updating information related to H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) at www.emergency.uwm.edu. If a change in course is warranted we will notify you as quickly as possible.

Rita Hartung Cheng
Provost and Vice Chancellor
UW-Milwaukee

H1N1 flu (swine flu) update: 6 p.m. May 3, 2009

May 3, 2009

This update about UWM and H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) is based on discussions today of the UWM Emergency Operations Team.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, May 3, UWM is not recommending the cancellation of any university events including classes.

While there are a growing number of cases in the Metropolitan Milwaukee area, at this time we have no reports of a case on campus.

Please remember: good practices such as frequent hand washing and staying home if you have flu-like symptoms are our best tools to continue to limit the spread of influenza in our community.

The City of Milwaukee has a hotline, 414-286-3616, and the team encourages you to call that number for general information.

Learn the latest UWM information related to swine flu and find links to key public health websites at http://www.emergency.uwm.edu/

Swine Influenza A (H1N1) update, 1 p.m. May 1, 2009

May 1, 2009


This is an update on Swine Influenza A (H1N1) here at UWM and is based
on discussions at today’s meeting of the UWM Emergency Operations Team:

• As of 1 p.m. Friday, May 1, UWM is not recommending the cancellation of any university events including classes.
• The City of Milwaukee has a hotline, 414-286-3616, and the team encourages you to call that number for general information.
• Learn the latest UWM information related to swine flu and find links to key public health websites here at http://www.emergency.uwm.edu/