UA News

Members of the UA community are encouraged to sign up for UAlert, the emergency text messaging service, for timely updates on the UA's response to the swine flu, should events warrant urgent updates.

The University of Arizona is closely monitoring the international outbreak of "swine influenza," and has issued a recommendation against UA faculty, staff or students engaging in non-essential travel to Mexico until further notice.

Key UA officials were briefed on the situation Monday and subsequently issued the following statement:

"The University of Arizona strongly recommends that faculty, staff and students postpone or avoid any non-essential travel to Mexico until more information is known about the swine flu situation. Out of concern for their own health and for the health of those with whom they live and work, UA faculty, staff or students who choose to travel to Mexico are expected to monitor their health closely for seven days following their return."

The recommendation matches the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention travel recommendation issued on Monday, which states, “At this time, CDC recommends that U.S. travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico.”

For further health information regarding travel to and from Mexico, please go to the CDC Travelers Health Web site.

On Sunday, the U.S. government declared a public health emergency to contend with the emerging flu. 

As of Monday afternoon, no swine flu cases had been confirmed in Arizona. Forty cases had been reported in the United States, with no deaths, according to the World Health Organization. The virus was suspected in as many as 103 deaths in Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak, with more than 1,600 cases suspected.

Members of the UA community are encouraged to sign up for UAlert, the emergency text messaging service, for timely updates on the UA's response to the swine flu, should events warrant urgent updates. Sign up at http://alerts.arizona.edu/.

Because seasonal flu still is active in Arizona, public health officials strongly advise that individuals practice flu prevention measures to decrease their chance of getting ill. 

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; throw the tissue in the trash after you use it – or cough or sneeze into your sleeve or upper arm. This will help to keep germs off your hands, where they can be spread easier.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
• Try to avoid close contact (within six feet) with sick people.
• If you get sick, public health experts recommend that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  

For several years, the UA Pandemic Response Planning Subgroup, part of the UA Campus Emergency Response Team, has been working closely with county, state and national agencies to develop appropriate measures to be taken during a potential pandemic influenza outbreak. With multidisciplinary expertise from throughout campus, members of this group, as well as other UA officials, are meeting daily to monitor the situation and to prepare to respond, if necessary. This group is working closely with the Pima County Health Department and is following recommendations and guidelines established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

The UA will provide further updates as warranted. 

The UA also is developing a Facebook page, which will provide another means to receive updates. That address will be provided when available.