Influenza Information

With our fall semester officially underway, West Texas A&M University officials are still closely watching the status of the H1N1 flu virus. Local Public Health has now assumed community-wide exposure and mass-vaccination clinics are anticipated in December for the Amarillo/Canyon area. Our current plan is to conduct University business as usual and to not alter the WTAMU academic or activities schedules in any way. We will however, ask faculty members to be mindful that we are in a world wide pandemic and to be particularly flexible in their expectations of students that become ill or display flu-like symptoms. In return, we ask that students follow the guidelines listed below. University officials are working closely with city, county and state health authorities to ensure the health and safety of the University community. You are encouraged to check our website often for updated information about this continuing health concern.

From the desk of West Texas A&M University President, Dr. J. Patrick O'Brien:

HINI memorandum (Oct. 9) >> click here

"Do you feel sick?" flier (Oct. 9) >> click here

Memo to division heads, deans and department heads (Sept. 9) >> click here

Memo to faculty and staff (Sept. 9) >> click here

Memo to students (Sept. 9) >> click here

A message from West Texas A&M University Student Medical Services Director

There is growing concern among public health officials around the U.S. about H1N1, with confirmed human cases of the infection reported in various states, including Texas.

Most patients with H1N1 have recovered quickly and reported that their symptoms were mild. Numerous cases have been diagnosed in Mexico; these cases appear to be more severe than those here in U.S. It is anticipated that more cases will be confirmed. Be assured, however, that federal, state and local authorities are working together closely and are diligent in their efforts to determine the source of the infection and to help stop the spread of the H1N1.

Universities are more susceptible to the spread of illness mainly because of their population density. However, there is no cause for undue alarm. Even so, there are everyday actions you can take to stay healthy such as:

Wash or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands frequently, especially before eating
Cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze. Also, keep your hands away from your mouth, eyes and nose.
If you cough or sneeze into a tissue, deposit it in a trash can immediately. Do not place it on any surface that others might touch.
Try to avoid contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected individuals.
Stay in if you are sick or show signs of flu symptoms and see a health care provider within the first 48 hours of symptoms for testing and treatment.
Talk with Student Medical Services or your health care provider about both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations. You should get both vaccines when they become 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). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

University officials are working with city, county and state health authorities on this important matter and will continue to monitor the situation here in the U.S. and abroad.You are encouraged to visit this Website often for updated information about this continuing health concern.

Important Information Regarding H1N1 in Texas

Regular flu and H1N1 are both responsive to the anti-flu medications that are available by prescription.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of H1N1 are similar to those of the regular flu, but symptoms can be more severe than for regular flu. H1N1 symptoms include:

Sudden fever
Body aches and pains
Coughing
Fatigue

Individuals who have H1N1 may also have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and/or a runny nose and sore throat.

As we approach this flu season we are following guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and the Texas Department of State Health Services, and are working closely with the local Bi-City, Bi-County Health Department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions concerning our institution. You can find the latest information as it pertains to WTAMU at www.wtamu.edu/flu. To access the most up-to-date information on the flu, visit www.texasflu.org, www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-232-4636.

If you have these symptoms

Students:

You can call the Student Medical Services appointment line at 806-651-DCTR (3287) to schedule an appointment or use our new online Healthly Buffs System. Student Medical Services is located in Virgil Henson Activities Center, Room 104). We have dedicated a portion of our medical and nursing staff to assist students who come in with flu-like illness concerns. If you get sick, please stay home from school and work and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Faculty/Staff:

Faculty and staff should call their personal healthcare providers immediately if they suspect they might have H1N1. You may also call the Texas Department of State Health Services call center toll free at (888) 777- 5320 (7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

If you get sick, please stay home from work and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Contact your supervisor as soon as possible and inform him or her of your need for time off. Also, do not report to work if you are caring for an ill family member diagnosed with H1N1.

Prevention

WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY WITH SOAP AND WATER, or carry a small-size, alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you and use it often.
KEEP YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM YOUR MOUTH, NOSE AND EYES.
DON'T EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE AFTER OTHERS.
COUGH OR SNEEZE INTO YOUR UPPER SLEEVE SO THAT VIRUSES ARE TRAPPED IN THE FABRIC OF YOUR CLOTHING AND SO THAT YOU DO NOT CONTAMINATE YOUR HANDS. If you cough into a tissue, throw it in a wastebasket immediately. Don't lay it on a surface that others might touch. Wash or sanitize your hands as soon as possible.
AVOID CLOSE CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK, AND STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE ILL.
Visit a doctor if you exhibit flu-like symptoms.
Try to follow good common health practices to help strengthen immune system including: adequate rest, eating healthy, increase fluids and avoid stress as much as possible.
Talk with Student Medical Services or your health care provider about both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations. You should get both vaccines when they become 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). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

International Travel

Anyone planning international travel should check with the U.S. Department of State (http://www.state.gov/) for the most current travel alerts.