Flu Advisory

There have been six confirmed cases of H1N1 at University of the Pacific since last summer. All have made a full recovery.

Anyone with flu symptoms should stay home until the fever has been gone for 24 hours. Faculty and supervisors should make special arrangements for those who miss classes or work.

Updates

Nov. 17, 2009

What: H1N1 vaccination clinic

Who: For those who meet the criteria below, administered on a first come first serve basis

When: Friday, November 20, 2009 from 8a.m. to 11a.m.

Where: University Center Ballroom

Required: Pacific ID (no exceptions) and completed medical necessity/authorization for treatment form that will be provided at the clinic.

Because of the limited supply, the University will follow strict CDC guidelines to identify which students, staff and faculty members are most at risk for contracting H1N1 and thus should be among the first to receive vaccinations.

According to CDC guidelines, groupsconsidered to be at risk are:

• Pregnant women
• Persons who provide care to an infant of age six months or younger
• Persons aged 17 to 64 years with other medical conditions that put them at higher risk. Those conditions include:
  
  
  • Chronic and other pulmonary symptoms (including asthma)
  • Cardiovascular problems (not including hypertension)
  • Renal and hepatic disorders
  • Cognitive and neurologic/neuromuscular disorders
  • Hematologic or metabolic disorders (including diabetes)
  • Immunosuppression caused by medications or HIV

Nov. 13, 2009

This week, the University received 500 doses of the H1N1 vaccine - a shipment much smaller than requested by the University, reduced because of a nation-wide shortage of the vaccine.

Because of the limited supply, the University will follow strict CDC guidelines to identify which students, staff and faculty members on the three campuses are most at risk for contracting H1N1 and thus should be among the first to receive vaccinations.

Students who are on high-risk rotation in a dental or medical clinic or employees whose job it is to assist those who become ill on any of the campuses will be offered the vaccination in the next week. Those students and employees will be contacted through their departments as to when the vaccinations will be available.

The University also will hold open clinics on all three campuses next week and will screen those who ask to be vaccinated for inclusion in a group considered to be at risk. Those groups include:

• Pregnant women
• Persons who provide care to an infant of age six months or younger
• Persons aged 17 to 64 years with other medical conditions that put them at higher risk. Those conditions include:
  
  
  • Chronic and other pulmonary symptoms (including asthma)
  • Cardiovascular problems (not including hypertension)
  • Renal and hepatic disorders
  • Cognitive and neurologic/neuromuscular disorders
  • Hematologic or metabolic disorders (including diabetes)
  • Immunosuppression caused by medications or HIV

Those clinics will be run on a first-come first-serve basis. The dates of these clinics will be announced to each campus as soon as they are scheduled.

Future H1N1 clinics will be scheduled as soon as more vaccine arrives. This is expected to happen in December or January. Please check this page for updates.

Nov. 6, 2009

Many individuals on campus are very concerned about the H1N1 virus. So far, there have been only six confirmed cases of H1N1 among Pacific students. All have made a full recovery. The University is still awaiting delivery of H1N1 vaccine and will announce immunization clinics on all three campuses as soon as a delivery date is known.

Based on current recommendation of the CDC, we are no longer performing cultures for H1N1. Most individuals who are hospitalized or have pre-existing medical conditions are still being cultured for the virus. It typically takes 2 to 4 days to receive the results from the lab. Therefore, individuals with the flu could have any influenza strain.

We are, however, seeing many cases of viral upper respiratory infections and San Joaquin Public Health reports that H1N1 is present in San Joaquin, but most individuals have mild cases of the flu. This same information is being reported across the country.

According to the CDC, the majority of individuals who are infected with the H1N1 virus have recovered without any medical treatment. Of the individuals who require hospitalization, 70% had pre-existing medical conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma or kidney disease. Although more individuals may become ill from the H1N1 virus than with the usual seasonal flu, most cases are mild and do not have complications.

Individuals with the H1N1 virus typically have a high fever, body aches, cough (dry, non-productive), sore throat, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some individuals have vomiting and/or diarrhea. With the flu, symptoms come on rapidly. Individuals with colds, usually feel the symptoms come on slowly and rarely have high fevers. It can take several days to feel better and the cough and fatigue may linger for several weeks.

Oct. 6, 2009

University of the Pacific will hold a flu vaccination clinic for all Stockton Campus employees - staff and faculty - from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wed. Oct. 14^th in the Don and Karen DeRosa University Center Ballroom. This clinic is for vaccination against the seasonal flu. The vaccine for the H1N1 virus has been ordered and a clinic for that will be set up in the near future.

If you are eligible for health and dental benefits, the shots are free. If not, the shots cost $20. You must present your Pacific Picture ID Card for employment verification.

Additional clinics for the seasonal flu vaccine may be scheduled as the University receives additional stock of the flu vaccine. If you have questions or need more details about whether you are eligible for benefits or if you need to pay for the shots, call Human Resources at ext. 62124.

This is the first of several planned flu shot clinics for employees on the Sacramento, San Francisco and Stockton campuses this year. Vaccination clinics are coordinated by the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Cowell Wellness Center to keep our campus healthy. For more information about the flu clinics or the shots, please contact Mark P. Walberg, Assistant Professor, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, at 209.946.7756 or via e-mail at mwalberg@pacific.edu; or contact the Cowell Wellness Center at 209.946.2315.

University of the Pacific will host a seasonal drop-in flu shot clinic for students only from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 in the Don and Karen DeRosa University Center. The shots are for the season flu, not the H1N1 virus. The shots cost $20 each but may be covered by insurance, depending on the student's insurance plan. AETNA student policy holders should bring their insurance cards as this plan covers the full cost of immunization. A flyer with insurance information and more details can be downloaded here: http://web.pacific.edu/documents/student-life/health%20services/acrobat/Student%20Flu%20Clinic%20Flyer.pdf

Additional clinics for the seasonal flu vaccine may be scheduled as the University receives additional stock of the flu vaccine. Students who are unable to participate in all offered campus clinics may make an appointment at the Cowell Wellness Center by calling 209.946.2315

This will be the first of many seasonal flu shot clinics that will be offered to students and employees on the San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton campuses. For full-time employees and graduate assistants, the shots will be offered at no cost. For part-time employees, the shots will cost $20 each. A flyer announcing the future clinics can be found online here: http://web.pacific.edu/documents/student-life/health%20services/acrobat/Employee%20Flu%20Clinic%20Flyer.pdf.

The University is currently working with health officials to offer additional flu clinics with the new H1N1 vaccine for students, faculty and staff on all three campuses. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the H1N1 vaccine will become available at the end of October. It is anticipated that there will be no cost to students or employees for those shots. Please visit http://www.pacific.edu/flu for more information and for updates on when and where those clinics will take place.

Sept. 3, 2009

A memo was sent to all students and employees on all three campuses updating the community on what Pacific is doing to prepare for the H1N1 virus. The memo can be viewed online.

Aug. 27, 2009

The latest Center for Disease Control guidelines for how institutions of higher education should deal with the H1N1 virus have been uploaded to the Web site. The guidelines include recommendations on vaccinations, how to isolate students who have tested positive, large group activities and if classes should be canceled.

July 16, 2009

San Joaquin Public Health Services notified University of the Pacific last night that two students tested positive for the H1N1 virus. Both students were tested in late June. The results were returned on July 15, 2009. Both students have been symptom free and are beyond the seven-day period in which they could spread the virus to others. Close family and friends of the students have been contacted and all are symptom free.

As a precaution for the upcoming flu season in the fall semester, the University is taking the following steps:

• Cowell Wellness Health Services has created new protocols for handling anybody with flu-like symptoms. Those new protocols can be downloaded as an acrobat document from the Web.
• Increasing education about symptoms and hygiene. Meetings will be arranged with students and staff and posters with pertinent information will be displayed throughout campus.
• Several hand sanitizers have already been installed and more will be installed throughout the campus.

May 5 2009

For Commencement Weekend of May 15-16, sanitary wipes will be available for all the Stockton Campus ceremonies. Additionally, the University will suspend the platform handshakes of congratulations at the ceremonies. Students will not be shaking hands while receiving their diploma cover. This information has been provided to all Deans. Deans have been asked to mention this at the beginning of each Diploma and Hooding Ceremony as a safety alert to students and parents as a precautionary measure being taken to ensure safety to all.

May 4, 2009

National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" had an interesting story on the H1N1/Swine Flu virus and why scientists think it might become the new "dominant" flu virus in the world for at least the next decade. The story also discussed how this is not the first time this strain of influenza has been encountered. The story can both be read and hear at NPR.org.

May 1, 2009

1.) As a precaution, the University has purchased hand sanitizers and will be installing them in key areas around the campus in the next few days. This is just a precaution, as there are no reported cases of the H1N1/swine flu at any of Pacific's three campuses. The University continues to operate normally.

2.) Reminder: if there were an emergency on campus - whether that emergency were severe weather, a campus fire or a pandemic flu infection - the University would use the Pacific Connect Emergency Communications System to immediately notify the Pacific community of the emergency. All students, staff and faculty members can sign up for this system through Inside Pacific and request that emergency messages from the University be sent to them through e-mail, text messages to cell phones, a recorded phone call, or even all three at the same time. If you are not registered for this system, please register today.

April 30, 2009

There are currently no reported cases of H1N1/swine flu at any of Pacific's campuses. The University is operating normally.

If students on any of the campuses - Stockton, Sacramento or San Francisco - are experiencing flu-like symptoms and are going to be tested for the H1N1/Swine flu, please contact the Cowell Health Center at 209-946-2315. We are requesting this notification to better manage any possible outbreaks and for more accurate reporting to the CDC. After notifying Cowell, Sacramento and San Francisco students may then choose an alternative health provider for testing in your city.

Stockton students with symptoms may obtain an appointment at Cowell Health Center, Health Services, or a referral to Saint Joseph's Medical Group of Stockton. Faculty and staff members with symptoms should contact their medical care provider.

Cowell Health Center
Stockton Campus
209-946-2315

St. Joseph's Medical Group
3132 March Lane, Suite 5
209-475-5500

Sacramento and San Francisco Students

The Cowell Health Center has compiled a list of hospitals and clinics in Sacramento and San Francisco for law and dental students. Students who are experiencing flu-like symptoms and wish to be tested for the H1V1/Swine flu virus can contact any of the agencies on the lists.

April 29, 2009:

USA Today has put together a comprehensive story about the H1N1/Swine Flu around the world, including good tips on how to avoid getting the flu. The story can be found online.

April 27, 2009:

A Message to Pacific Students, Faculty, Staff and Family Members Regarding the Swine Flu Outbreak

Over the weekend U.S. health officials declared a state of emergency associated with the emergence and spread of a new strain of the swine flu. This variation of the swine flu has the capability for transmission between humans. Cases are now confirmed around the world, including in California. There are suspected cases in the Sacramento region.

The current concern over the swine flu outbreak provides the opportunity for an important reminder regarding precautions to prevent the spread of diseases transmitted by respiratory droplets. All types of influenza are spread through contact with respiratory fluids either when a susceptible person is in close contact with the ill person or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching one's own eyes, nose or mouth. Individuals who may have recently traveled to Mexico, New York, Texas or San Diego and Imperial counties in California should take particular precautions and seek advice from a healthcare provider.

If you have any flu-like illness that involves a fever, cough, congestion, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, diarrhea or vomiting, you should stay home until symptoms resolve. Individuals with symptoms may be contagious for at least seven days following the onset of illness. You should consider seeking medical advice as there are several antiviral drugs available for treatment if started during the early phases of the illness. These treatments can lessen the effects of the flu.

Stockton students with symptoms may obtain an appointment at Cowell Wellness Center, Health Services, or a referral to Saint Joseph's Medical Group of Stockton. Faculty and staff members with symptoms should contact their medical care provider.

Cowell Wellness Center, Health Services
Stockton Campus
209-946-2315

St. Joseph's Medical Group
3132 March Lane, Suite 5
209-475-5500

The Cowell Wellness Center has compiled a list of clinics and hospitals for San Francisco and Sacramento students.

If students on any of the campuses - Stockton, Sacramento or San Francisco - are experiencing flu-like symptoms and are going to be tested for the H1V1/Swine flu, please contact the Cowell Wellness Center and let officials there know that a test has been requested.

Routine precautions for preventing the spread of influenza include:

1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6. Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.