Task force forms plan to break flu outbreak
Charissa Smith
Center for Disease Control (CDC) officials are unsure how severe an H1N1 (swine) flu attack would be on U.S. communities.With 593 related U.S. fatalities and 9,079 cases resulting in hospitalization, Maricopa Community College District board members are taking precautions by instituting a contingency plan that exceeds federal guidelines.
Fliers have been placed around all MCCCD campuses to inform students about H1N1. They detail preventative measures students should take, as well as symptoms of the virus. Also, included on the filers is a link to the district’s emergency preparedness Web site www.maricopa.edu/mems.
Through this Web site, students can sign up for Maricopa Emergency Management System (MEMS) text message alerts. This system will be used to alert students and staff of any emergency on campus, including an H1N1 outbreak.
Chris Chesrown, director of Strategic Initiatives for the district, reminds students and staff to update their personal contact information when signing up for the MEMS alerts.
The district has convened a special task force to specifically address the threat of an outbreak and to formulate contingency plans.
Alternative methods of course delivery are being explored, should a campus need to shut down. This includes possible off-site locations to offer courses, and what would be involved in the suspension of a semester in a worst case scenario, according to Ruth Unks, Risk Manager for the district.
“We don’t have any plans right now to be closing any colleges.We are actively monitoring the situation with H1N1 and rest assured that we are doing what we can to continue classes,” said Unks.
Chesrown adds, “We don’t know the dynamic nature of this virus, you know that’s one of the big variables, that’s one of the big unknowns and that is why the district is, and the members of this task force are, working to prepare for a worst case scenario.”
“The thinking is that if you’re prepared to respond and respond in a thoughtful way, to what could be the worst situation, then you can handle other situations if they turn up to be not as severe.”
“Prevention is more important then ever, wash your hands, avoid touching your eyes and mouth . and when you’re sick stay home,” Chesrown explained.
“Control of this is based on human behaviors and the choices we make. We can help curb the spread of this if we act responsibly,” she added.
Dr. Lewis Obermiller, Microbiology Professor at MCC also stressed the importance of thouroughly washing hands and/or using alcohol based sanitizers to kill bacteria.
According to Sonia Filan, director of student advancement at MCC, 150 hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed on campus as part of the prevention effort.
The CDC reports that people under 25 are more vulnerable to infection than the elderly.
H1N1 is a virus with symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, runny/stuffy nose, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, body aches, headaches and chills, according to the CDC.
Those with flu-like symptoms are encouraged to remain at home except to seek medical care until the fever has been absent for at least 24 hours, according to the CDC.
CDC also advises students to incorporate the “flu-buddy scheme” so there is only one person in contact with the infected.
Additional information can be found at the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm and on the Arizona Department of Health Web site at http://azdhs.gov/flu/h1n1/index.htm.
