SF State News {University Communications}

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Updated: H1N1 flu resources and information

April 30, 2009 -- 5 p.m.: In a message to the campus community, President Robert A. Corrigan details campus preparedness in light of swine flu developments. Read more...

Graphic with the words, 'swine flue update.'

 

April 30, 2009, 12:45 p.m.: The San Francisco Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that the California Department of Public Health has confirmed the first case of 2009 H1N1, also known as swine flu, in a San Francisco resident. The patient is a child who is not in school, but who did recently travel to Mexico. The San Francisco DPH is coordinating with state and federal agencies to implement increased influenza surveillance and containment measures. The City instituted a partial activation of the Emergency Operations Center and the Department of Public Health has had its Department Operations center activated since Monday. Mitch Katz, M.D., director of health for the San Francisco DPH, advised residents to monitor news reports and check http://www.sfcdcp.org/swineflu.html for continuous updates. Additionally, the public can call the City's 311 operators for more information.

 

April 28, 2009, 11:45 a.m.: New guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control recommend that anyone who develops flu symptoms within seven days of travel outside the U.S. to an affected area should check in with their health care provider by phone or e-mail. This web site will continue to keep the campus community up-to-date with key developments as they are announced. It is important to keep in mind that these are precautionary announcements, and there is no need for alarm at this time, says Alastair Smith, M.D., director of Student Health Services.

April 27, 2009, 4:45 p.m.: SF State officials are monitoring the developing swine flu situation and advise the campus community to become aware of the symptoms and how best to protect themselves. Please check this page regularly for updates.

Swine flu, a virus that normally infects pigs, has been detected in people in Mexico, the U.S., Canada and elsewhere, prompting the World Health Organization to monitor other countries and to take measures to prevent its spread.

"Now is a time to be cautious, educate yourself about the flu and take proactive measures to stay healthy," said Alastair Smith, M.D., director of student health services. "It is not a time to panic."

These are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy: Clean your hands frequently, preferably using hand sanitizers that consist of at least 60 percent alcohol, especially after you cough or sneeze. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to limit the spread of germs.

Global travel makes possible the quick spread of influenza. "If you were in Mexico within 48 hours seven days of developing symptoms, then stay home, call your doctor and generally isolate yourself from others," Dr. Smith said.

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to other influenza-like symptoms: fever (greater than 100 degrees) and a cough or sore throat. Close contact and hand-to-hand transmission are the primary means of spreading the illness among humans. No specific foods or food groups are associated with transmission.

Additional resources and information about swine flu are available at:

The Centers for Disease Control Web site at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

SF State Student Health Services Web site at: http://www.sfsu.edu/~shs/

 

Note: April 28: This story was updated to reflect new guidelines issued by the CDC. Updated information is denoted by a strike through font.

 

-- Nan Broadbent

 

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