The following message was sent to the Tufts Community Monday, June 29, 2009
Dear Members of the Tufts Community:
As cases of H1N1 have spread throughout the U.S. and the world, the university-wide Task Force on Pandemic Planning has continued to receive questions from members of the Tufts community. We wish to take this opportunity to offer an update to the community.
The World Health Organization has officially declared an H1N1 pandemic. The pandemic declaration does not indicate that this disease is severe, in fact, it has been relatively mild. Rather, the pandemic designation reflects that H1N1 is a novel strain of influenza that spreads easily from person to person, with increasing and sustained transmission in multiple parts of world. At this point, the illness displays the same degree of severity as seen in the typical seasonal winter flu. It is affecting primarily children and young adults, with the majority of cases seen in people under 25.
Because the disease is now so common, public health agencies recommend that diagnosis normally be made by symptoms, such as fever and cough or sore throat. Specific testing for H1N1 influenza is available only for those who are very severely ill. Several dozen cases of flu-like symptoms have been seen on the Medford/Somerville campus with more seen every day, and a handful of cases in Boston. We are unaware of any cases on the Grafton campus. Since the illness is spreading widely, additional cases are to be expected.
Individuals with flu-like symptoms, such as fever and cough or sore throat, should consult their primary care clinician for advice. Students on the Medford/Somerville campus may come to Health Service to be seen. Treatment is supportive, meaning that it is focused on making people more comfortable while their own immune system fights off the illness. Fever medicine, fluids and rest are the mainstays of treatment. Medications such as Tamiflu are recommended only for the seriously ill. Public health authorities also recommend that anyone ill with "influenza-like" symptoms should self-isolate for a minimum of seven days. Self-isolation is explained in detail in a helpful guide from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health: http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/cdc/flu/swine_home_isolation_patients.pdf. It essentially means going home and limiting contact with others. Self-isolation will help individuals with the flu to recover and prevent them from spreading the illness further. Students should be offered academic accommodations to make up work missed as a result.
Since cases are so widespread, there is no need to "report" cases to a specific authority. Anyone with influenza should notify their contacts, friends, classmates, family members, co-workers. Those who are exposed to someone with H1N1 flu do not need to panic. They should be alert to their own health, so that if they start to feel symptoms they can stay away from others to prevent further spread. They do not need to stay out of work or class unless they develop illness themselves. Preventive medication is indicated only for those with very serious health problems and compromised immune systems. Pregnant women should also contact their clinician if they are exposed.
You will help keep yourself, and those around you, healthy by remembering to:
- Wash your hands frequently, or use hand sanitizer.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (and then washing your hands if you coughed into them).
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Staying home when sick.
More information on the H1N1 flu and pandemic planning at Tufts, including answers to frequently asked questions, is available at http://emergency.tufts.edu/flu. If you have further questions about influenza and your health, you should contact your own health care provider. The Task Force on Pandemic Planning is continuing its work over the summer to ensure that the university is well prepared for the beginning of the new academic year. We appreciate the collaboration of colleagues across Tufts in our efforts to keep the university community healthy.
John M. King
Senior Director of Public Safety
Chair, University-Wide Task Force on Pandemic Planning
Margaret Higham, M.D.
Medical Director, Health Service, Medford/Somerville Campus
Member, University-Wide Task Force on Pandemic Planning
Kanchan Ganda, M.D.
Department of Public Health and Community Service, School of Dental Medicine
Member, University-Wide Task Force on Pandemic Planning
Joseph P. McManus
Executive Associate Dean, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Member, University-Wide Task Force on Pandemic Planning
