H1N1 Virus – Recommendations

Students:

See note below regarding important recommendations for dealing with the 'flu' this semester.

Our class policies are:
1) if you have flu-like symptoms, do not come to class; go to health center/doctor to get a note verifying the dates of your illness
2) with the appropriate verification, your absence will be 'excused' and any missed classes will not count against your grade; you will be allowed to turn in any take-home assignments late

Regards,
Ron Deiter

August 24, 2009

Dear Iowa State faculty and staff:

At Iowa State, we have been preparing for the possibility of pandemic flu

since 2006. University officials are closely monitoring information provided

by the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC), Iowa Department of Public Health and Story County Public

Health. Public health officials predict the contagious Novel Influenza A H1N1

virus will return this fall, with cases occurring as early as September

in the U.S. Students and other young people -- those 24 and under -- are

especially susceptible to contracting H1N1. While most people who have been

sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and

deaths from H1N1 have occurred. Our goal is to do everything possible to

minimize the impact of a public health emergency on campus.

We need your help. Taking care of yourself and practicing good hygiene are

the best ways to prevent the spread of disease -- whether that is seasonal

flu, H1N1, or even the common cold. The CDC recommends people take these

everyday actions to stay healthy:

-- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw

the tissue in the trash after you use it.

-- If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not

your hands.

-- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or

sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective when traditional

hand washing isn't possible.

-- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.

-- Try to avoid close contact with sick people, and if you're sick, stay

home.

Getting enough sleep, managing stress, exercising regularly, eating a

healthful diet and avoiding alcohol and tobacco are other steps you can take

to stay healthy.

In compliance with public health recommendations, Iowa State also strongly

urges any staff with flu symptoms to follow the CDC's self-isolation

guidelines. The CDC currently recommends that people with flu-like illness

remain at home for at least 24 hours after they are fever-free (without the

use of fever-reducing medications). A fever is defined as 100 degrees F or

higher. In most cases, that means an absence of three to five days.

We know that with many demands on your time, it can be difficult to decide to

stay home when you are sick. But when you weigh your responsibilities against

public health and your own health, please make the right choice -- and that

is to rest and stay away from others if you are ill. If illness will cause

you to miss work, be sure to contact your supervisor by phone or e-mail as

soon as possible.

As more information becomes available, we also will continue to stay in touch

with you regarding the availability and distribution of vaccines for seasonal

influenza and the H1N1 flu virus.

Because no one yet knows how virulent the H1N1 virus will be this fall, and

because public health recommendations are subject to change, we ask that you

watch for H1N1 information and updates on the ISU homepage at

http://www.iastate.edu, or refer to the Iowa Department of Public Health page

at http://www.idph.state.ia.us/h1n1/. If you have any questions, you may also

contact Story County Public Health at (515) 233-7550.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Hoffman

Executive Vice President and Provost

Warren Madden

Vice President for Business and Finance

Thomas Hill

Vice President for Student Affairs