OSU continues to monitor flu situation; announces changes for commencement, Mexico travel
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
(Stillwater, OK May 5, 2009) - With the first confirmed case of H1N1 influenza in
Oklahoma announced Tuesday, Oklahoma State University continues to screen patients
with flu-like symptoms but has not experienced a significant increase in patient traffic.
OSU has announced that as a health precaution, administrators will not shake hands
during the degree presentations at commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday.
Based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendation that U.S. travelers avoid
all nonessential travel to Mexico, OSU has cancelled all university-sponsored travel
to and from Mexico this summer. The university will continue to monitor the travel
situation.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health today announced the first confirmed case of
H1N1 influenza in Oklahoma. The patient is an adult female from Pontotoc County,
which is about 100 miles south of Stillwater. The patient, who recently returned
from a trip to Mexico, did not require hospitalization and is expected to make a full
recovery.
State health officials said there is no need for alarm. State and local public health
officials were monitoring the case to limit exposure to others.
The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to seasonal influenza and include fever
greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion,
and in some cases, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Persons who experience flu-like
symptoms should contact their physician. Some antiviral drugs may be used to treat
persons at high risk of complications from the disease.
Health officials caution that aspirin should not be given to children or teenagers
who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever. Instead, use medications such as
acetaminophen to relieve fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. The use of
aspirin in children has been associated with Reye’s syndrome, a potentially fatal
disease in children, causing harmful effects to many organs, including the brain and
liver.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health reminds the public to continue to practice
these recommendations to prevent the spread of influenza:
Wash hands often to protect yourself from germs.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are often spread when a person touches
a contaminated object and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or “sneeze in your
sleeve.”
If you are sick, stay home from work, school, church, and running errands. You will
help prevent others from catching your illness.
Persons with questions about H1N1 influenza may call the state’s H1N1 flu toll-free
hotline at 1-866-278-7134 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or by calling your local county health
department. The following sites provide helpful information:
Flu symptoms: http://www.okstate.edu/UHS/uhsflu.htm
H1N1 Flu Q & A: http://www.ok.gov/health/documents/OCC-FAQ%20-SwineInfluenza.pdf
WHO-H1N1 Flu: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
CDC-H1N1 Flu: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
CDC-Travel Advisory: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx
CDC-University Update: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/college-alert.htm
Higher Ed cases: http://tinyurl.com/HigherEdH1N1Map