Preventive measures to protect campus community from swine flu infection

April 29, 2009

To the Campus Community:

While we are fortunate that at the time of this writing no cases of swine flu have yet to be confirmed in Los Angeles County, I want to assure the campus community that Cal State Northridge is actively monitoring the situation, taking steps to educate people about preventing infection, and ensuring that we are prepared to act in the event that any reported cases arise on campus.

Soon after the announcements about the first reported cases were made public, the University posted information on the front page of the campus website about preventive measures individuals can take to remain healthy and avoid infection. Also posted on the University main website are links to the Klotz Student Health Center, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. These sites provide access to the most current information on the developing situation. Information on the University website will be updated as the situation warrants.

In response to the current reports, California State University, Northridge has activated its pandemic response plan. This plan was developed several years ago and has been updated to reflect the current situation.

As the initial step, the University has activated the campus' pandemic planning committee to monitor the situation and to make recommendations to me, as campus president, for appropriate action as the situation may require. The planning committee is co-chaired by Dr. Linda Reid-Chassiakos, Director of the Klotz Student Health Center, and Chief Anne Glavin, Director of the Department of Public Safety. They, their staffs, and the members of the planning committee have the expertise and training to review, assess, and monitor the changing situation, and make recommendations to me directly as appropriate.

It is important to note that we are not in a crisis or epidemic situation. However, given the news reports, all of us in the campus community need to take personal responsibility to ensure that we as individuals, our families, and our colleagues and peers take precautions to remain healthy and to avoid spreading any potential infection.

If you experience flu-like symptoms, do not go to work or class. Limit contact with others to avoid infecting them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that those who wish to seek medical care should contact their health care provider to report illness by telephone or other remote means, and then follow their recommendations.

As mentioned above, links with suggestions for remaining healthy and preventing the spread of infection are readily accessible on the main page of the University website at http://www.csun.edu. These suggestions include engaging in common sense preventative measures such as:

• Clean your hands frequently
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue, and if you do not have a tissue, use your elbow, not your hand.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Practice good health habits such as getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing your stress, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious foods.

The University will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as warranted. Please continue to check the main page of the campus website as well as the web pages of the Klotz Student Health Center and/or the Department of Public Safety or campus Emergency Management page.

I recognize that this is a stressful time of the year as we approach the end of the academic calendar and, with it, final exams and commencement. For these reasons, I hope everyone will practice precautions to remain healthy and will stay informed and educated about this issue.


Jolene Koester
President

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