August 26, 2009

Dear Students:

As the fall term approaches, our nation and campus community are closely monitoring the status of the H1N1 (swine) flu virus. We recognize that you may have concerns, and want to share the approach that the University of Rhode Island is taking to prepare for the likelihood of this flu affecting our community.

To support the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff, a coordinating committee is dedicated to monitoring the situation, being in constant contact with federal and state agencies and ensuring that plans are in place to protect the health of our campus community. Fortunately, the vast majority of cases are mild and, at this point, the H1N1 virus appears no more virulent or severe than most seasonal flu.

While no vaccine is currently available for the H1N1 flu, we are advised that it may become available in October, and, as of July 29, 2009, college students were included in a priority group to receive vaccine.

URI will conduct vaccination clinics for students once it becomes available. Indications are that two H1N1 immunizations, plus the normal seasonal flu vaccination will be recommended. We will communicate the status and availability to students through email, our website, social media, and other venues.

Following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we urge all community members to understand the symptoms of the flu and what to do if they become ill. There are simple methods, described below, to avoid transmission of illness.

If you become ill, we recommend that you consider returning home if you can do so safely. If you remain on campus, self-isolation will include social distancing, keeping about 6 feet from others, wearing a mask when moving into a shared bathroom, and coordinating efforts to receive fluids and food.

As you prepare for the fall semester we urge you to bring a thermometer (non mercurial), tissues, alcohol hand sanitizer, hand soap, and possibly a small package of surgical masks. Given the possibility that many people may seek care or advice simultaneously, the CDC is advising that people seek care only if they have underlying risk factors or emergent symptoms.

We plan to have a telephone advice line and campus flu status will be reported through the URI homepage, www.uri.edu, with a link to the CDC site (www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu). The University will also host live chats Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Further details will be posted on the URI homepage.

Thank you for your efforts to keep all members of the URI family in good health. Although we can't eliminate the spread of this virus, our collective efforts can significantly minimize its reach and overall impact.

Warm regards,

David M. Dooley, Ph.D.
President

Prevention: Hand hygiene includes frequent washing with soap and water (hand sanitizers are appropriate when soap and water are not readily available) AND refraining from touching one's face including eyes, nose and mouth. Cough hygiene includes covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. If tissues are not available, one should cough/ sneeze into their elbow.