Important H1N1 (swine) flu update

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April 28, 2009

April 30, 2009

The Minnesota Department of Health, today, announced the confirmation of test results, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for the H1N1 (swine) flu virus of a person with ties to the Rocori Middle School in the nearby community of Cold Spring, Minn. 
                      
We will continue to monitor this situation closely and remain effectively engaged with the CSB/SJU Emergency Management Teams.

 

April 29, 2009 

Dear Members of the Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s Communities,

The Stearns County Health Department has notified us that the Minnesota Department of Health has identified the state’s first probable case of swine (H1N1) flu in Stearns County. It is likely that you are already aware of this from the local media.

Here is what we know at this time. The Rocori Middle School and St. Boniface Elementary School in Cold Spring have closed voluntarily as a precautionary measure. The individual in question experienced influenza-like symptoms and is recovering at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will test a specimen to determine whether the individual has swine flu.

We have activated our CSB/SJU task force to monitor the situation closely and will keep you informed of developments and any actions that we may subsequently deem necessary. As this is a rapidly evolving situation, we recommend that you rely on information from credible sources such as the links on the right and be wary of unsubstantiated rumors. For updates and information about how the college and university are responding to this situation please continue to check our CSB/SJU Web site.

The Minnesota Department of Health recommends several everyday actions you can take to stay healthy:

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
  • Wash your hands often to protect yourself from germs. 
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Practice other good health habits. Keep yourself strong – and more resistant to disease – by getting plenty of sleep, staying physically active, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food.

If you experience flu-like symptoms – a fever of 100 F or higher, runny nose, cough, respiratory congestion – we ask that you stay home from work or school and contact a health care provider. We remind you that the SJU Health Center and St. Joseph CentraCare Clinic are local providers available to our campus communities.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. For your convenience, hand sanitizers have been provided in common areas of our campuses.

If you would like additional information about swine flu, please see the Web links in the right-hand sidebar. 

We appreciate your cooperation.

Lori Klapperich Jean Donnay Ganard Orionzi
Counseling & Health Promotion Nurse Practitioner, CSB Environmental Health & Safety


April 28, 2009

Dear Member of the Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s Communities,

The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a nationwide public health emergency involving Swine Influenza A.  This new strain of flu has infected more than 1,000 people in Mexico and has spread to the United States, where new cases are being diagnosed each day.  Today, the CDC recommended no non-essential travel to Mexico.  Thus far, no cases have been identified in Minnesota. 

This is a rapidly evolving situation that we are closely monitoring.  While there is no imminent danger to our community, we will continue to provide information to you from the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health as it becomes available. 

There is no vaccine available now to protect against swine flu.  However, the following sensible precautions from the Minnesota Department of Health can help prevent the spread of germs that cause illnesses like the flu:

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. If you experience flu-like symptoms – a fever of 100 F or higher, runny nose, cough, respiratory congestion – we ask that you stay home from work or school to keep from making others ill.  If you have questions about how you are feeling, you should contact a health care provider.
  • Wash your hands often to protect yourself from germs.   We will provide antiseptic hand cleaner in public places around the campuses.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Practice other good health habits. Keep yourself strong – and more resistant to disease – by getting plenty of sleep, staying physically active, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food.

Please know that we are monitoring this situation very carefully and will act quickly as we receive new information.  If you would like additional information about swine flu, please see the Web links in the right-hand side bar. 

We appreciate your cooperation.

MaryAnn Baenninger  Dan Whalen
President, College of Saint Benedict Interim President, Saint John's University


                                                  

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