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News Release

Last modified: Monday, April 27, 2009

All IU campuses taking anti-flu precautions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2009

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie today directed that all IU campuses begin taking precautions to prevent or limit the outbreak of swine flu among students, faculty or staff.

The preparations include heightened monitoring of the situation by medical personnel and the issuance of guidance on how people can prevent the spread of the flu virus and what they should do if they experience flu-like symptoms.

"We will be intensively monitoring all our campuses for any evidence of an outbreak, and we will be closely in touch with state and federal health agencies for updated guidance on the situation," said Diana Ebling, M.D., medical director of the IU Health Center in Bloomington.

Ebling said that so far IU medical personnel have seen no evidence of flu infections among students, faculty or staff. She added that no swine flu cases are known to be in Indiana; however, one case has been confirmed in Ohio.

Students are being urged to make an extra effort to follow common infection control measures, including frequent hand washing and shielding others from a cough by using tissue, a handkerchief or sleeve.

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to other seasonal influenza illnesses. They include fever, sore throat, cough, body aches and, occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea.

Students at the IU Bloomington and IUPUI campuses experiencing flu-like symptoms are urged to immediately visit their campus health center for evaluation. Students at regional campuses are urged to visit their campus wellness centers, if available, or seek treatment from their primary care providers.

IU employees have been told that if they experience symptoms consistent with the flu, they should stay home and minimize contact with other people.

IU has been actively preparing for the potential of a pandemic or another campus emergency for a number of years. In keeping with that plan, McRobbie activated the University Emergency Preparedness Committee (UEPC) and directed it to take immediate responsibility for whatever planning or response is needed to the swine flu outbreak.

Although the swine flu has not been declared a pandemic, the university takes seriously all threats and has plans and procedures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of its students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the local community.

Detailed information about swine flu and IU's response to the situation can be found at the university's Emergency Preparedness Web site, which is located at https://www.indianauniversity.info. The site will be regularly updated as any additional information becomes available.

Information will also be available at the following Web sites:

IU Health Center Bloomington: https://www.indiana.edu/~health/

IUPUI Health Services: https://health.iupui.edu/index.html

IU Bloomington: https://www.iub.edu/~prepare/flu.shtml

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