H1N1 (swine) Flu Situation Closely Monitored

Claremont McKenna College, in collaboration with Student Health Services (SHS) of The Claremont Colleges is closely monitoring developments in the nationwide public health emergency involving swine influenza and taking immediate steps to manage the situation. The SHS is in contact with the Los Angeles County Public Health Department and are following their guidelines as well as those of the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Neither Claremont McKenna College nor our neighboring colleges have any known cases of swine flu.

Since the symptoms of swine influenza do not differ significantly from regular human flu, the SHS will be heightening our surveillance of any student exhibiting signs of influenza. Swine influenza infection will be considered in the diagnosis of any patient presenting with the following symptoms:

Fever (100.5 & higher)

Cough

Sore throat

Body aches

Headache

Chills

Fatigue

Patients who fit the above criteria will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis according to the Los Angeles County Public Health Department guidelines. Furthermore, particular attention will be given to students exhibiting these symptoms who have recently visited Mexico or any of the other locations identified by the CDC as sites of swine flu infection.

Some of the preventative measures to keep from getting sick are the normal practices of infectious control such as:

Get plenty of rest

Drink plenty of liquids

Cover coughs and sneezes

Wash hands with soap and water for 15-20 seconds frequently

Treat fever headache and body aches with Tylenol (acetaminophen) or non-aspirin (Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen) medications.

Seek medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, vomiting and cannot keep down fluids, or have other conditions such as diabetes or asthma or a chronic illness.

CUC Student Health Services will continue to closely monitor information sources for the management of swine flu and will provide daily updates for The Claremont Colleges.

Further information about swine flu can be obtained from the following websites:

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu

CDC: Key Facts About Swine Influenza (Swine Flu): http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

CDC: Swine Flu FAQ: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm

CDC: Swine Flu Investigation: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm

CDC Health Advisory: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/pdf/HAN_042509.pdf

Topics

Contact

Office of Strategic Communications & Marketing

400 N. Claremont Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711

Phone: (909) 621-8099
Email: communications@cmc.edu

Media inquiries: David Eastburn
Phone (O): (909) 607-7377
Phone (C): (808) 312-8554
Email: deastburn@cmc.edu