Dear Members of the CMC Community:
Our most recent information to date is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified cases of H1N1 virus (swine flu) in humans, and the federal government has declared a national public health emergency. CDC investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with swine influenza viruses.
It is important to know that Claremont McKenna College has preparedness plans in place in the event of such outbreaks in preparation to guard the health of our students, faculty, and staff. We are closely monitoring developments from key sources of reliable information including the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC, and we are in close contact with state and local public health officials. Units across CMC's campusincluding the CUC Student Health Services, Dean of Students, Dean of Faculty, Human Resources, Campus Facilities, and othersare committed to sharing information in a timely and coordinated manner.
Among the precautions taken:
Campus leaders are meeting regularly to review the situation.
Plans are in place regarding patient care, special transports, and testing.
CMC's emergency management team is meeting regularly to review the situation and make recommendations on measured response as needed.
Campus facilities office and housing offices are providing enhanced cleaning services to rest room facilities, dining areas, and residence halls.
Hand sanitation stations are mounted on the east and west entrances of Collins Dining Hall. We encourage students, faculty, and staff to wash their hands before and when leaving the dining area.
At this time, we have no reports of either possible or confirmed cases at CMC. To remain without incident, good prevention is important. All members of the CMC community are asked to take the following precautions to help avoid contact and transmission of this virus:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Try to avoid close contact with sick individuals.
If you are sick or become ill, stay home from work/school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Students residing in residence halls should remove all personal items from the bathrooms. This will allow the housekeeping staff to efficiently and thoroughly clean more surfaces in the bathrooms.
Like the regular seasonal flu, the H1N1 flu strain has been shown to be transmitted directly from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing and by touching contaminated items. This flu cannot be transmitted through the consumption of pork products.
If you develop flu-like symptoms (high fever, cough, runny nose, body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea), contact your doctor immediately. Students on campus should contact the CUC Student Health Services (909-621-8222). In-house testing is available for students through SHS. Faculty and staff should contact their primary-care physician. Health care professionals are in the best position to determine if you need influenza testing.
The situation is developing quickly, so it is best to monitor the World Health Organization and CDC's web sites for the most up-to-date information and travel advisories. In addition, CDC and the U.S. State Department are preparing travel advisories recommending against non-essential travel to Mexico.
CMC has compiled links to important web sites and other useful information. In addition, regular updates will be posted on the CMC Emergency Web Site located at http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/emergency/.
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm
Claremont University Consortium Student Health Services: http://www.cuc.claremont.edu/shacs/SHS/
California Department of Public Health: www.cdph.ca.gov
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: www.publichealth.lacounty.gov
Sincerely,
Pamela B. Gann
President