Flu Outbreak Update: USC Takes Precautions

April 30, 2009 9:30 AM

USC has taken special steps to prepare for the possibility of an outbreak of swine influenza.

“While, there have been no cases of the H1N1 virus at USC, and only a handful of possible cases in Los Angeles County, we have taken steps in preparation to guard the health of our students, faculty and staff,” said Lawrence Neinstein, professor of pediatrics and medicine and executive director of the USC University Park Health Center.

Among the precautions taken:

The University Park Health Center and the USC Health Sciences campus and its hospitals have instituted pandemic protocols, and leaders are meeting regularly to review the situation.

USC officials are in contact with Los Angeles public health officials and local hospitals and have special arrangements in place regarding patient care, special transports and testing.

USC has increased its supplies of intravenous fluids on the University Park campus.

The University Park campus facilities office and housing offices are providing enhanced cleaning services to rest room facilities and residence halls.

USC’s emergency management team is meeting regularly to review the situation and make recommendations on measured response as needed.

At the Health Sciences campus, USC security personnel stationed at public entrances to hospitals and clinics are screening all patients and visitors for exposure to swine flu.

All members of the USC community are asked to take the following precautions to help avoid contact and transmission of this virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading. Use sanitizing gels when handwashing is not available.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, as these are pathways for spread of germs.

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket. Afterwards, wash your hands.

• Seek medical care if you feel sick.

• If you are ill with fever and other symptoms of flu-like cough and sore throat, see a doctor, especially if you think you may have had contact with someone with swine flu or severe respiratory illness in the past 7 days before becoming ill.

USC is in contact with health authorities and agencies monitoring the situation; updates will be sent to the USC community as warranted.

More information and resources can be found at:

County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health:
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/Diseases/Swine.htm

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_001

California Department of Public Health
www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspx

CDC Travelers’ Health Web Site:
wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx

World Health Organization:
www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/en/

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