MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR

To colleagues at the Seattle Community Colleges –

As we hear continuing reports about the H1N1 virus, we want to again emphasize the importance of taking preventive measures to help minimize any spread of H1N1 on our campuses.

The Seattle-King County Health Public Department continues to advise us to follow these guidelines –

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF FLU ON CAMPUS
Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Seattle-King County Public Health

Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.

Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.

Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness, for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don’t go to class or work.

Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). More information about priority groups for vaccination is at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm


For the most up-to-date information on flu, go to http://www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)

Since my last message many of you have asked about informational “Stop the Flu” posters for your students, and as a result, we have distributed Seattle-King County Public Health posters in six languages to the Public Information Offices at each campus. Posters in 15 different languages can also be downloaded and printed at this poster resource page: http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/communicable/stopgerms/posters.aspx

Several of you have also asked questions through our special email address, fluquestions@sccd.ctc.edu. The questions and answers are posted in the updated FAQ document http://www.seattlecolleges.edu/DISTRICT/flu/flufaqs.aspx on the H1N1 website. Please continue to send your questions, which help all of us to be informed.

The district-wide emergency preparedness committee is monitoring information about the flu and will advise us of any changes or recommendations. The most current information is always at the District H1N1 website:
http://www.seattlecolleges.edu/DISTRICT/flu/pandemic.aspx

Dr. Jill A. Wakefield
Chancellor
Seattle Community Colleges