Pima County Reports First H1N1 Flu Cases; None Reported at UA

By University Communications May 4, 2009

Campus officials continue to closely monitor the situation.

As anticipated, the Pima County Health Department has confirmed its first cases of H1N1 flu (formerly referred to as "swine" flu) in Pima County.

County health officials reported Sunday that six cases of the flu were confirmed in Pima County: Four cases from the Tohono O'dham Nation; one case from the Tucson Unified School District and one in the Marana Unified School District. No cases were reported at The University of Arizona. Seventeen cases had been confirmed in Arizona.

Key UA officials continue to meet daily to closely monitor the situation to take immediate steps to protect the health of the campus community and to prepare to respond quickly, if necessary. 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 measures to limit its spread, until this new virus is better understood.

The UA continues to prepare to heighten its response in the event that cases are detected on the UA campus. Key UA officials are coordinating closely with the Pima County Health Department, which in turn is working closely with the Arizona Department of Health Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to ensure an appropriate response. The UA also continues to develop contingency plans in the event the H1N1 flu virus appears on campus, including:

A detailed protocol for handling any cases in residence halls.
Ensuring the campus has sufficient vital supplies.
Contingency plans for public events and summer school classes, if the Pima County Health Department recommends we begin practicing social distancing
Contingency plans for summer travel to Mexico
As an added precaution, campus buildings and residence halls are 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

At the same time, campus health officials continue to 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.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, to decrease the spread of germs.
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.

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.

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

For information on Arizona's response to the outbreak, go to: http://www.azdhs.gov/flu/swine/index.htm

For Pima County information, go to: http://www.pimahealth.org/disease/swineflu/swine_flu_arizona.html

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web site dedicated to swine flu information: 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 online.