Emergency CommunicationsThe University of Puget Sound is ready and prepared to communicate with members of its community in case of local, regional, national, or international emergency.
6.12.09 H1N1 Virus AKA "Swine Flu" Information
The recent spread of the new and unique influenza A virus, known as H1N1, has received much publicity. This virus is commonly referred to as "swine flu." H1N1 has now spread to humans worldwide, and is found in all states in the United States. It can be transmitted from human to human the same way the seasonal flu or a cold is transmitted. The virus causes symptoms similar to those of the seasonal flu. While H1N1 does continue to spread, it is causing less severe disease than experts initially expected.
At CHWS, we continue to keep abreast of current developments regarding H1N1. We have access to campus wide and state communication and emergency response systems, should there be a need to use these resources. In the meantime, please use the following links to keep informed of the most recent and accurate information. If you have symptoms, or have specific concerns that are not addressed here, please call your primary care provider. Students in the Tacoma area who are experiencing symptoms, but do not have a primary care provider, may wish to consult local resources.
More Information
Pandemic Flu: http://www.pandemicflu.gov
Pierce County Health Department: www.tpchd.org
Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/investigation.htm
Travel Advisories: www.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluUS.aspx
World Health Organization: www.who.int
Washington State Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu/facts.htm
For Faculty and Staff
Unum Life Balance: www.lifebalance.net (user ID and password are "lifebalance")
Group Health Cooperative: www.ghc.org/provider/flu/swineFlu.jhtml
Medex Travel Assistance Program: http://www.medexassist.com
5.7.09 Message to the Campus Community Regarding the H1N1 Virus ("Swine Flu")
As we head into finals week and graduation, I write to advise you of the latest updates on the H1N1 virus, also known as "swine flu." As of 3 p.m. today, there is one confirmed case of H1N1 influenza reported in Pierce County. There are 23 confirmed cases in Washington state, and 46 probable cases, which means that a positive influenza test has been reported in a patient who has significant illness and exposure through travel. The Center for Disease Control is now performing more definitive testing to confirm or rule out H1N1 influenza in those cases.
Confirmatory testing will soon be performed at the Washington state lab, and it is likely there will be a significant increase in the number of confirmed cases reported in the state, as the back log of testing is completed locally. This will not indicate that there is a change in the new cases or the severity of the H1N1 influenza. The H1N1flu is still considered to be mild to moderate in severity with symptoms that are similar to the annual seasonal influenza.
We are regularly monitoring the CDC H1N1 Web site and are communicating regularly with the Pierce County Health Department. The CDC is not currently recommending that colleges, universities, or post-secondary educational institutions cancel or dismiss classes or other large gatherings. At this time, all Puget Sound campus events are planned to take place as scheduled. Any change in plans will be posted to the Web site and communicated by e-mail.
The CDC and Pierce County Health Department continue to recommend preventive strategies. They do advise that those who are sick stay home and away from large gatherings, and limit contact with others to prevent spreading infection.
It is important that all members of the campus community take reasonable precautions, especially if you have recently traveled (in the past 7-10 days) or been in contact with individuals from affected areas.
Students should contact CHWS, 253.879.1555, if they experience any of the following symptoms, which are similar to those of many other viruses: temperature of 101.3 or higher, sore throat, cough with difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Faculty and staff should contact their local health care provider and notify CHWS if you are diagnosed with swine flu.
Please continue to maintain good self-care practices, including maintaining adequate rest and nutrition, covering your mouth with the crook of your elbow if you must sneeze or cough, and washing hands frequently with hot, soapy water.
More Information
Pandemic Flu: www.pandemicflu.gov
Pierce County Health Department: www.tpchd.org
Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/investigation.htm
Travel Advisories: www.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluUS.aspx
World Health Organization: www.who.int
Washington State Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu/facts.htm
For faculty and staff members:
Unum Life Balance: www.lifebalance.net (user ID and password are "lifebalance")
Group Health Cooperative: www.ghc.org/provider/flu/swineFlu.jhtml
Medex Travel Assistance Program: www.medexassist.com
Linda Everson, R.N., C.
Director and Medical Coordinator
Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services
5.1.09 Message to the Campus Community Regarding the H1N1 Virus ("Swine Flu")
As we head into the weekend, I write to advise you of the latest updates on the H1N1 virus, also known as "swine flu." As of noon today, there are no confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in Pierce County. There are 10 probable cases in Washington state, which means that a positive influenza test has been reported in a patient who has significant illness and exposure through travel. The Center for Disease Control is now performing more definitive testing to confirm or rule out H1N1 influenza in those cases. There are also three cases in nearby Lakewood, which are classified as suspected cases, indicating that the influenza testing is in progress. The administration of Lakes High School in Lakewood has made the decision to close the school in consultation with the health department.
I met with officials at the Pierce County Health Department this morning, and they continue to recommend "preparedness without panic" and preventive strategies. They do advise that those who are sick stay home and limit contact with others to prevent spreading infection.
It is important that all members of the campus community take reasonable precautions, especially if you have recently traveled (in the past 7-10 days) or been in contact with individuals from affected areas.
Students should contact Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services (CHWS), 253.879.1555, if you experience any of the following symptoms, which are similar to those of many other viruses:
- temperature of 101.3 or higher
- sore throat
- cough with difficulty breathing
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Faculty and staff should contact your local health care provider and notify CHWS if you are diagnosed with swine flu.
Please continue to maintain good self-care practices, including maintaining adequate rest and nutrition, covering your mouth with the crook of your elbow if you must sneeze or cough, and washing hands frequently with hot, soapy water.
More Information
For faculty and staff members:
Linda Everson, R.N., C.
Director and Medical Coordinator
Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services
4.28.09 Message to the Campus Community Regarding the H1N1 Virus ("Swine Flu")
As you may be aware from recent news reports, there is evidence that an outbreak of swine flu in Mexico City has spread to the United States, with documented cases in California, Kansas, Ohio, New York, and Texas. At this time, there are no reported cases in Washington State.
Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services (CHWS) is monitoring the spread of the disease and is prepared in the event that the disease occurs on campus or in the Tacoma area. We advise the campus community to maintain good self-care practices to reduce the threat or spread of this or other diseases.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Swine flu can spread rapidly from one person to another, and might also be contracted by touching objects such as door knobs or keyboards. It cannot be contracted from eating pork. The illness is responsive to anti-viral medication within the first 48 hours, and is thought to be contagious the day before symptoms develop and for seven days afterwards. For this reason, it is important that all members of the campus community take reasonable precautions, especially if you have recently traveled (past 7-10 days) or been in contact with individuals from affected areas.
Students should contact CHWS, 253.879.1555, if you experience any of the following symptoms, which are similar to those of many other viruses:
- temperature of 101.3 or higher
- sore throat
- cough with difficulty breathing
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Faculty and staff should contact your local health care provider and notify CHWS if you are diagnosed with swine flu.
Prevention
Good self-care habits include:
- maintaining adequate rest and nutrition
- washing hands frequently with hot, soapy water
- staying four to five feet away from a person who is ill
- covering your mouth with the crook of your elbow if you must sneeze or cough
- properly disposing of tissues
If you are sick, please limit your contact with others.
More Information
More information on the outbreak of swine flu is available from the Pierce County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Students may contact Counseling, Health, and Wellness with any questions or concerns. Faculty and staff members, if you have questions, please contact your health care provider.
Linda Everson, R.N., C.
Director and Medical Coordinator
Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services
Emergency Notification
The campus community will be notified about major emergencies in one or more of the following ways:
- University Emergency Mass Notification System
Those who register for this system can be notified via cell phone, text message, office or residential phone, campus e-mail, and/or personal e-mail. Request registration via e-mail.
- Talk-a-phone Wide-Area Broadcast System
Five campus Talk-a-Phone towers produce outdoor loudspeaker announcements.
- Campus Web Site
Home page announcement on www.pugetsound.edu.
- Campuswide E-mail or Voice Mail Message
Sent to campus e-mail addresses and phone extensions.
- Emergency Info Line
Recorded message on 253.879.4900
Our emergency response plans describe procedures to follow during an emergency.
Questions?
The question and answer section contains information about the university's preparedness planning.
Contacts
Not sure who to contact with urgent concerns about emergencies? Check the numbers listed on the right.
Help for faculty and staff
Current world events are creating stress and anxiety for most of us. Unum Life Balance has created special resources that offer individualized, thoughtful coping support-articles, resource links and online discussion boards. Unum Life Balance also provides easy access to professional support 24/7; call 800.854.1446 (English), 877.858.2147 (Spanish), or 800.999.3004 (TTY/TDD) or visit their Web site at www.lifebalance.net (user ID and password are "lifebalance").
National Advisories
Local and national news media
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