Emergency Guidelines for the Campus Community

H1N1 Influenza

May 19, 2009 E-mail to Graduating Seniors

To: Princeton University seniors
From: University Health Services and Environmental Health and Safety

Re: Campus Health Advisory for senior events
Date: 5/19/09

University officials want to remind graduating seniors and their families about ways to practice good hygiene and prevent illness during Reunions and Commencement, in light of continuing cases of H1N1 influenza in the United States and other countries.

All visitors to campus should be aware that state health officials have confirmed positive cases of H1N1 influenza in New Jersey. At this time, there have been no positive cases of H1N1 influenza on the University campus or in the local area, and there are no changes in Reunions and Commencement activities. While we do not currently have plans to limit visitors to campus, we encourage individuals planning trips to heed information provided by health authorities as they consider traveling, and to consult a physician before traveling if they have flu-like symptoms.

Reunions and Commencement attendees should be aware of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for reducing the spread of illness at large public events. At celebratory events where participants may frequently shake hands or hug, there may be an increased risk for the spread of illness among attendees.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations provided below are intended to reduce the spread of influenza infection:

• Stay at home if you’re feeling sick. Persons with flu-like symptoms (i.e., fever with either cough or sore throat) should stay home for seven days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after symptoms have subsided, whichever is longer.

• Use good hygiene practices. Individuals should follow infection-control steps, including: covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you sneeze; and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent the spread of germs. Frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers also is recommended.

• Take caution if you are at high risk for complications. Persons who are at high risk of complications from influenza (i.e. persons with certain chronic medical conditions, children less than five years old, persons 65 or older and pregnant women) should consider their risk of exposure to H1N1 influenza if they attend public gatherings in communities where influenza is circulating.

Again, there have been no positive cases of H1N1 influenza on the University campus or in the local area at this time, but individuals who fall into the high risk categories described above may want to consider that Reunions and Commencement activities bring visitors to campus from around the globe.

If you or any of your guests decide to stay home, please note that the Baccalaureate service, the Hooding ceremony for advanced degree candidates and the Commencement ceremony are scheduled to be webcast live and archived online for later viewing at: www.princeton.edu/WebMedia/. The events also are scheduled to be broadcast live on TigerNet Channel 7 on campus and on Channel 27 on Princeton cable television.

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the University's response to this public health issue and updates for campus visitors, please visit the H1N1 influenza web page on the University's Emergency Preparedness website:
http://web.princeton.edu/sites/emergency/swineflu/.

If you have specific health-related concerns not addressed by the University's H1N1 web page linked above, please call University Health Services at (609) 258-3141.

General information about Reunions 2009 is available online at:
http://alumni.princeton.edu/main/goinback/reunions/

General information about Commencement 2009 and a schedule of events is available on the University's Commencement website:
http://www.princeton.edu/~vp/commencement/.

_______________________________________________________________________________________
John Kolligian, Jr., Ph.D., MBA
Executive Director

University Health Services
Princeton University
McCosh Health Center
Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey  08544-1044

Last update: 20-May-2009 1:41 PM
Web page comments or errors: Robin Izzo.