H1N1 (Swine Flu) News and Resources

NEW H1N1 Guidance and Information for Colleges and Universities

Current SUNY Operating Status, as of October 2009:

SUNY’s Coordinated Response to H1N1
The State University of New York has launched a comprehensive effort to monitor and assist campuses during the fall H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak. System Administration officials are in continuous contact with higher education associations and state and federal agencies for guidance and monitoring. Campuses have been taking precautionary steps to help educate students, faculty and staff regarding the steps they can take to limit the spread of the flu.

On September 14, 2009, the SUNY Office of University Life sponsored the University-wide campus safety symposium: Facing A Public Health Challenge: H1N1. More than 160 campus personnel attended sessions on the current situation and challenges, vaccines and antiviral medications, best practices for implementing flu plans, legal issues and environmental infection and control. Click here to learn more about the symposium and access the materials and presentations.

On October 13, 2009, Dr. Edward Engelbride, Senior Assistant Provost, State University & Dr. Kathleen Camelo, Director, Student Health Center, SUNY Plattsburgh testified for the Assembly Standing Committees on Health, Labor, Education, Higher Education, and the Subcommittee on Workplace Safety Public Hearing: H1N1 Influenza. View the testimony:  (.pdf)  (.txt)

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) has set up a hotline for H1N1 (swine flu): 1-800-808-1987 (New York City residents call 311)

The NYS Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control recommend six ways of protecting yourself and your family from the flu:

1. Avoid close contact.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2. Stay home when you are sick.
If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

3. Cover your mouth and nose.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4. Clean your hands.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

5. 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.

6. Practice other good health habits.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Printable Materials for Promoting Good Health Habits:

• Cover Your Cough
• Be a Germ Stopper: Healthy Habits Keep You Well
• Flu Prevention Toolkit: Real People. Real Solutions
• Stopping the Spread of Germs at Home, Work & School

NEW H1N1 Guidance and Information for Colleges and Universities

• Questions and Answers about CDC's Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel

Updated interim guidance on infection control measures to prevent transmission of 2009 H1N1 influenza in healthcare facilities. This updated guidance applies uniquely to the special circumstances of the current 2009 H1N1 pandemic and will be updated as necessary as new information becomes available throughout the course of this influenza season.

• Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel

Updated interim guidance on infection control measures to prevent transmission of 2009 H1N1 influenza in healthcare facilities. This updated guidance applies uniquely to the special circumstances of the current 2009 H1N1 pandemic and will be updated as necessary as new information becomes available throughout the course of this influenza season.

• Questions and Answers Regarding Respiratory Protection For Preventing 2009 H1N1 Influenza Among Healthcare Personnel

Questions and Answers which provide additional information intended to assist healthcare facilities in optimizing implementation of recommended respiratory protection practices in the context of shortages of respiratory protection equipment.

• CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year

CDC is releasing new guidance to help decrease the spread of flu among students, faculty, and staff of institutions of higher education (IHE) and post-secondary educational institutions during the 2009-2010 academic year.

• Technical Report on CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year

This Technical Report includes detailed explanations of the strategies presented in the CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year and suggestions on how to use them. The guidance is designed to decrease exposure to regular seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu while limiting the disruption of day-to-day activities and the vital academic activities that go on in Institutions of Higher Education (IHE). CDC will continue to monitor the situation and update the current guidance as more information is obtained on 2009 H1N1.

EXTERNAL H1N1 (SWINE FLU) RESOURCES