May 1, 2009
TO: The NMSU Community
FROM: Robert Moulton, Interim Executive Vice President and
Provost
SUBJECT: H1N1 Flu Update
The university continues to closely monitor the worldwide outbreaks of
H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) and this morning the university’s emergency
response team met to continue preparedness planning. The university
is working with state and local leadership and supported a news
conference at the Las Cruces City Hall, also this morning, to inform
residents of Doña Ana County that we are fully prepared to deal with a
flu outbreak.
We would like to reiterate that there is currently no health emergency in
New Mexico and that we are working with the NM Department of Health to
stay informed as the situation continues to evolve. At this time
the university is not canceling any classes, activities or large events;
however, we are encouraging departments to notify your departmental
administration if you notice high levels of absenteeism, so we can
continue to monitor the situation closely.
We want to make information available to our campuses and encourage
everyone to be aware of precautions they can take. The following
measures continue to be recommended to prevent the transmission of any
type of flu:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw
the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough
or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective. (Check to make
sure your sanitizers contain at
least 63 percent
alcohol.)
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with
others.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink
plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
Links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health
Organization as well as information on the university’s Communicable
Disease Response Planning can be found at
http://www.nmsu.edu/safety/
The NMSU Student Health Center Web site is always a good resource for
information and specifically addresses issues regarding travel. You can
find that site at
http://www.nmsu.edu/~shc/.