Vanderbilt Medical Center and Student Health Services are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and the Tennessee Department of Health to continue to monitor the ongoing H1N1 virus (swine flu) situation. The Tennessee Department of Health lab has identified the state’s first probable case of H1N1 virus and is awaiting the CDC’s confirmation of the preliminary results.
Current information and information about how to avoid and treat H1N1 can be found at: http://emergency.vanderbilt.edu/plans/flu_swine.htm. This site will be updated as new information becomes available.
VMC-specific information is available at: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/root/vumc.php?site=infectioncontrol. This site will also be updated as new information becomes available.
Any Vanderbilt program hosting conferences, events or camps on campus this summer is encouraged to contact the university’s biological safety officer, LouAnn Burnett, louann.burnett@vanderbilt.edu, with their contact information and the dates and details of their summer programs to facilitate communication in the coming weeks.
“Right now, the good news is that the H1N1 virus is a very mild flu that responds to antiviral medication,” said Bob Wheaton, director of Vanderbilt Environmental Health and Safety Department.
Symptoms of influenza include:
• fever greater than 100.5 degrees,
• body aches,
• coughing,
• sore throat,
• respiratory congestion,
• and in some cases diarrhea and vomiting.
People with a temperature greater than 100.5, and a cough or sore throat should call their personal physician and make an appointment for evaluation. The CDC and the Tennessee Department of Health have asked that Vanderbilt Medical Center increase surveillance for swine flu in such patients. Swine flu responds to the commonly used anti-viral medication Tamiflu.
Individuals who have traveled to areas where this outbreak is occurring (Mexico; New York City, San Diego or Imperial Counties, Calif.; and Guadalupe County, Texas) should be on alert for flu-like symptoms. If those symptoms develop within seven days of travel, contact your healthcare provider. Vanderbilt employees may also contact the Occupational Health Clinic at 936-0955.
The World Health Organization raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from Phase 4 to Phase 5 on April 29. According to the WHO, Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.
What to do to reduce the risk of infection or transmission of infectious diseases:
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• When caring for, living with, or coming into contact with others who are sick, be even more conscientious in washing your hands frequently.
• Cover your cough and sneezes!
• Do not touch your nose, eyes, or mouth until you have washed your hands to avoid inoculating yourself with infectious organisms.
• Get enough rest, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and drink fluids. Avoid tobacco products.
• Stay home when you are sick to avoid exposing others
• If you are sick with respiratory symptoms, be sure to cover your cough and wash your hands frequently to reduce the risk of transmitting your illness to others through direct contact or use of shared objects.
At the current time, the CDC is recommending no travel to Mexico, but is not placing restrictions on other travel. The CDC is not recommending routine preventive Tamiflu prescriptions for travelers unless they are high risk – e.g., elderly or persons with more than one chronic condition such as as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes.
Faculty or staff with questions about other international travel plans should contact their healthcare provider.
V-FAM Doctor’s Appointment Service
If you need to, you can see a doctor fast – the the Vanderbilt Family Appointment Program (V-FAM) offers medical appointments to staff, faculty and their immediate families within 48 hours for the treatment of acute/chronic problems. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll see your regular doctor, but you are guaranteed to see somebody who can help. Contact: (615) 343-8863.
Additional information is available at the following websites:
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
* The World Health Organization