CSM-Related News and Information Regarding Pandemic Influenza

May 1, 2009 Update

Additional cases continue to be reported in the U.S. and elsewhere.  However, the rate of spread of the virus in Mexico is appearing to slow as the government there implements social distancing measures.

Public health authorities are starting to use "H1N1 flu" rather than "swine flu" to identify the current virus.  The rationale for the name change is that some members of the public have begun avoiding pork products in the mistaken belief that eating pork can cause infection with the H1N1 virus.  This particular variant of the H1N1 virus has not been identified as circulating amongst swine, and no mechanism of transmittal through eating cooked pork has been observed.

Public health authorities in Colorado and the Centers for Disease Control have stated that the H1N1 virus now circulating in the U.S. appears to have a virulence or severity similar to regular seasonal influenza.  The encouragement of the use of personal hygiene measures by everyone is seen as extremely important now that the virus has been confirmed to be in our communities.  Mines also encourages these measures including:

• Regular hand washing
• Coughing or sneezing into tissues or sleeves
• Use of hand sanitizers when regular washing is unavailable
• Stay home if you have any influenza-like symptoms
• If you do experience influenza symptoms of a seasonal flu severity, use home care treatment
• If you experience flu symptoms and are in a high-risk group, call your medical provider for advice
• Call your provider before visiting to help avoid overwhelming limited health care resources

While the local, state and federal agencies are not requesting that individuals report illnesses directly to them, county and state agencies have asked schools and universities to report cases at their institutions.  In order to assist the public health authorities in identification of areas of disease in communities, Mines asks students, staff, and faculty to notify the student health center or supervisors if they are home sick with with influenza-like symptoms.

April 30, 2009 Update

At this point at least 13 countries and at least 11 U.S. states have been affected with swine flu. Several more countries and states have probable cases and are being tested for confirmation.  The U.S. states include Kansas and Nebraska.  The state of Texas has suspended athletic and academic competitions.  Several Texas school districts have suspended classes.  At 10:00 AM today the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment announced that two cases of swine flu, H1N1, had been confirmed in Colorado.

The World Health Organization has raised the Pandemic Flu Alert Level to Five. http://www.who.int/en/  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."

CSM Environmental Health & Safety & Student Health Center staff are participating in U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Jefferson County Pandemic Influenza Committee meetings and conference calls today regarding appropriate responses for institutions of higher education.  The CSM Pandemic Influenza Committee is meeting Friday to continue campus response activities and preparation.

April 27, 2009 Update

As of April 27, 2009 the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico had infected an estimated 1,200 people and killed 80 in Mexico.  Additional cases have been confirmed or suspected in California, Texas, New York, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Spain, Great Britain, New Zeeland, and Israel.  Most of these additional cases were in people recently returning from Mexico.

Schools and public gatherings have been closed in many parts of Mexico.  As of April 27th, no cases have been reported in Colorado and no school or public event closures have been announced or are planned in the State.

CSM administrative staff are meeting to review and update the School's existing Pandemic Influenza Plan in light of the swine flu outbreak.  While no closure of classes or events are currently planned, we recommend that all students, staff, and faculty take regular precautions to minimize their chances of contracting the flu:

• Wash your hands at least five times per day, after being around others, and before touching your face.
• Obtain and use hand sanitizers when soap and water is unavailable.
• If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms stay at home.  Missing class or work is a small price to pay to help the community.
• If you experience a sudden onset of flu-like symptoms seek medical attention quickly.  Some anti-viral medications have been shown to be effective against swine flu virus when taken shortly after the onset of symptoms.
• If you experience flu-like symptoms after having recently traveled to Mexico or have been in contact with someone who has traveled to Mexico, contact your medical provider immediately and inform them of your experiences.
• At home keep at least several days of food and household supplies on hand.  Make sure that you have supplies on hand to care for an illness.

In the event that the Governor calls for closure of classes and public events at some point in the future, CSM may maintain many functions that do not involve large gatherings of people.  Research as well as many regular office and maintenance functions may continue to operate. 

Schools and other events have already been closed in Mexico and elsewhere.  Department Heads and Directors are encouraged to review their operations and services to determine ahead of time which of their personnel would be required to work on campus if CSM classes and events are cancelled. 

As the campus continues planning and preparation for the possibility of pandemic influenza additional measures and precautions will be considered and implemented.  We can best protect ourselves and our community by working together using the strength and commitment so characteristic of Mines.

Return to CSM Pandemic Influenza general information page.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control Swine Flu Information Page

CSM personnel familiar with pandemic influenza planning: