UA News

As the swine flu outbreak grows, the UA community continues to closely monitor the situation and to promote public health measures.

As the international swine flu outbreak continues to widen – and with the flu confirmed to be present in Arizona – officials at The University of Arizona continue to meet daily to closely monitor the situation, take immediate steps to protect the health of the campus community and to prepare to respond quickly, if necessary.

As of Thursday morning, four Arizona cases of swine flu, all in Maricopa County, have been confirmed with county health officials reporting that all cases appeared to be mild. Also, Northern Arizona University reported that one of its students had a "probable case" of swine flu. The institution and the Coconino County Health Department were awaiting word from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the case. Also as of Thursday morning, no cases had been confirmed in Pima County. The United States had confirmed 109 cases in 11 states; internationally, 11 nations had reported 257 cases.

The UA continues to make preparations to heighten its response to the flu in the event that cases are detected on the UA campus. Key UA officials are coordinating closely with the Pima County Health Department, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure an appropriate response.

As noted by public health experts, the swine flu virus is a new type of virus that so far appears no worse than regular, seasonal flu. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, the UA is following public health guidance to closely monitor the outbreak and to take aggressive measures to limit its spread, until this new virus is better understood. 

For example, the University is working to ensure it has adequate supplies and materials to respond to swine flu cases, should they be needed. As an added precaution, campus buildings and residence halls are now being cleaned with stronger disinfectants than normally used. The UA was one of the first U.S. universities to recommend against non-essential travel to Mexico (please see the April 27 memo at UANews.org). 

At the same time, campus health officials encourage everyone to practice flu-prevention measures:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.

• 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.
• Try to avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with sick people.
•  If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, to decrease the spread of germs.

Understandably, this outbreak has led to some rumors and misinformation. Please refer to the UA home page for official UA advisories regarding the campus response to the swine flu outbreak at The University of Arizona.

To receive any urgent campus advisories, please sign up for UAlert.

For information on Arizona's response to the outbreak, go to:

The Arizona Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.azdhs.gov/flu/swine/index.htm

For Pima County information, go to:

The Pima County Health Department
http://www.pimahealth.org/disease/swineflu/swine_flu_arizona.html

For additional information on swine flu, visit a new Web site created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

And for information on how families and individuals can prepare:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/individual/index.html.

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 measures to be taken during a potential pandemic influenza outbreak. The plan is available at the UA Campus Emergency Response Team Web site.