The following is a letter that the campus is expected to send today (Sept. 18) to students.

To all UC Davis students:

We write to provide an update on the university’s H1N1 flu virus response plan. As you return to the UC Davis campus and the Davis community, we want to advise you of the campus prevention and response provisions made for your health and safety. As the status of the H1N1 flu pandemic evolves, along with public health practices to respond to its spread, students are also encouraged to obtain weekly information updates at the Student Health Services (SHS) website: http://healthcenter.ucdavis.edu/topics/flu-h1n1.html

Since last spring, our campus emergency planning and response teams have been implementing practices to address the H1N1 pandemic. Our teams work in collaboration with the Yolo County Public Health Department, campus Student Health Services, Academic Affairs, Safety Services, and other local and state agencies. Campus response personnel also receive regular updates from California State Public Health Department officials regarding H1N1 management.

Current H1N1 Status

H1N1 pandemic flu is now widespread throughout the world. Cases of H1N1 have already appeared on most college campuses and we have confirmed cases at UC Davis and in the Davis community. We expect to experience more cases this fall, consistent with what is expected in other communities. While the majority of cases are mild, this strain does seem to be more frequent in children and young adults, including those 18 to 24 years old. We strongly encourage students to take standard flu season infection control precautions and to play an active role in campus public health prevention efforts.

Standard Flu Season Infection Control Precautions

All faculty, staff, and students should observe the following flu/respiratory disease precautions:

• Avoid contact with ill persons
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Throw used tissues in the trash
• Do not share food, drink, or utensils
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, particularly after you sneeze or cough
• Use an alcohol-based hand gel sanitizer when you cannot wash
• Flu Vaccination

UC Davis Student Health Services urges all students to receive both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines. Students should be vaccinated as soon as vaccine becomes available to them. Many students may have an opportunity to receive seasonal flu vaccine from their primary care provider BEFORE coming to campus and are encouraged to do so. For those who come to campus without immunization, seasonal flu vaccine is currently available at Student Health Services and H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available during Fall Quarter, 2009. More information on campus vaccination clinics for seasonal and H1N1 flu.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all students get vaccinated for the seasonal flu. The CDC stresses early seasonal flu vaccination whenever possible, as this may also assist in reducing the severity of H1N1 spread. This vaccine is currently available for students at Student Health Services. Students may receive vaccination during any routine primary care visit or phone for a vaccination appointment (530-752-2349). Vaccination clinics will be held on campus at the Student Health Center and in selected public buildings and residence halls at the start of Fall Quarter.

H1N1 Vaccine: Recent public health recommendations place individuals under age 24 in the top priority group for receiving the H1N1 vaccine. The Yolo County Health department anticipates distribution of H1N1 vaccine to our campus community in October. As soon as we are advised of availability, campus vaccination clinics will be made available to all students in compliance with public health recommendations.

Illness Treatment and Response

The majority of individuals who contract the H1N1 virus will not need to seek a doctor’s treatment. Faculty, staff, and students who are ill with flu should remain at home (or in their room) for 24 hours after they are fever-free (and without medication that would lower temperature). A mild, lingering cough may occur. This cough should not prevent students from returning to class. More information for persons with higher risk or recent known flu exposure.

If you have symptoms of flu and have concerns regarding managing your illness, please call the SHS Advice Nurse at 530.752.9649 for consultation rather than presenting in-person to the Student Health Center. SHS sells a variety of over-the-counter products that may help alleviate symptoms of the flu and the Advice Nurse can help you choose a product. The SHS Advice Nurse is a free service available to UC Davis students during SHS hours of operation:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Wednesday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Classes and Activities

Classes and other activities at UC Davis will proceed as scheduled this quarter. Campus emergency and health officials will monitor the campus situation and work with Yolo County Public Health to make recommendations for changes in or cancellations of campus activities, based on the scope and severity of any flu outbreak. Any decision will be communicated broadly to faculty, students and staff through email and other communications, including the campus website.

In the event of personal illness, students are responsible for notification of instructors, whenever care needs interfere with their ability to attend class or complete assignments within course schedule requirements. Accommodations are at the discretion and judgment of the faculty, in keeping with campus academic policy, to ensure that illness needs are met while maintaining academic rigor and curricular integrity.

Additional Information

For more information on the H1N1 flu:

Student Health Services

• H1N1 Influenza web page
• Patient Care Services Manager: 530-752-8042
• Advice Nurse: 530-752-9649

California Department of Public Health

• toll-free hotline: 1-888-865-0564
• H1N1 Facts and General Information for the Public

Additional online resources are available at the SHS website.

Thank you for your efforts to keep all members of the UC Davis community in good health, and your support for our collective efforts to reduce the spread and impact of this virus.

Sincerely,

Fred E. Wood, vice chancellor for Student Affairs at UC Davis

Michelle Famula, M.D., executive director, UC Davis Health and Wellness

Thomas Ferguson, M.D., Ph.D., medical director, UC Davis Student Health Services