Update and Precautions for Swine Influenza

The Department of Student Health Services at Old Dominion University has issued additional guidelines and recommendations to help prevent the occurrence of swine influenza (H1N1). Officials urge the ODU community to be aware of the symptoms and take general precautions.

Old Dominion University does have an emergency operations plan that includes protocol for responding to communicable disease outbreaks. The university has supplies and trained personnel on campus. Additionally, there are accommodations to isolate, if necessary, sick students who are unable to return home, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.

As with any public health issue or emergency, the university is following the guidelines and advice provided by the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health. ODU health officials continue to be in regular contact with both groups.

All members of the university community are urged to take the following safety precautions:

Stay Informed

• The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is offering real-time information regarding outbreaks and new directives at http://www.vdh.state.va.us/. 
• The CDC has an informational site about swine flu at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.
• Monitor the ODU web site http://www.odu.edu for additional updates and information specific to the Old Dominion University community.

Take Action

• Students are urged to leave campus to return home immediately following the end of final examinations, if feasible and possible. So-called "social distancing" helps control infectious disease outbreaks.
• Faculty, staff and students should stay home from work or school and limit contact with others if you develop any fever or flu-like symptoms.
• Call your doctor or Student Health Services (683-3132) immediately if you have fever or flu-like symptoms.

Practice Good Hygiene

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth since germs spread that way.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.

According to the latest information from the CDC, the outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, the CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations and the nation's first fatality from this outbreak. The confirmed cases suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. and most people will not have immunity to this new virus.