University prepares for outbreak, no London cases reported

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By Heather Travis
Friday, May 1, 2009
The University of Western Ontario continues to prepare for a human swine flu outbreak with the launch of a new website and the mass release of a one-page fact sheet.
 
The pandemic planning committee met yesterday and will continue to meet regularly next week “to prepare for any further response we might need,” says Student Health Services Clinical Director Shelagh Bantock.
 
“We are just making sure we are covering all of the aspects we need to be fully prepared,” she says.
 
Members of the university community who have recently returned from Mexico and are experiencing symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, sore muscles, joint pains or diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their doctor. Those who are well can return to work or school.
 
Canadian health officials are reporting 20 confirmed cases of the A/H1N1 virus. There have been reports of 35 people from the Middlesex-London area with a connection to Mexico experiencing influenza symptoms. Human swine flu has been ruled out in most cases, however the Middlesex-London Health Unit is awaiting laboratory results from a few individuals.
 
The health unit says the risk of infection for the general public will only increase if there is evidence of ongoing spread in the community, but there is no evidence this is occurring.
 
The World Health Organization maintains its pandemic alert phase at level five, which indicates there is human-to-human spread of the virus in at least two countries.
 
At the university, Student Health Services, the pandemic planning committee and the university administration continue to monitor the situation and will enact its pandemic plan if necessary.
 
Gitta Kulczycki, Vice-President (Resources & Operations), says, “While there are no confirmed cases of human swine flu in the London area, it’s important that Western is prepared. Senior administration and Health Services are working closely with Western’s Department of Communications and Public Affairs to ensure all students, faculty and staff are kept up to speed on any developments regarding this situation.
 
“I encourage everyone to watch the Western website and the newly created H1N1 Flu Virus micro-website for news and updates from the Middlesex-London Health Unit.”
 
 
A poster-sized fact sheet will also be forwarded to deans and unit heads for distribution within faculties and departments.
 
Student Health Services continues to screen patients for the virus. If anyone is displaying one or more of the symptoms, they will be given a mask and placed in isolation immediately.
 
To reduce the risk of contracting the virus, Bantock recommends frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizers with at least 70 per cent alcohol, washing surfaces, and covering coughs and sneezes.
 
“I think we are well prepared. We are doing all of the right things with prevention and education,” she says.

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