May 29, 2009
Dear Faculty, Staff and Students:
North Carolina and Orange County public health department officials have confirmed that a University employee has contracted H1N1 influenza. Laboratory test results came back positive for the employee, who works in the School of Medicine, has no patient-care duties and is an Orange County resident. County health officials say the employee is recovering, in self isolation at home and unrelated to a previous H1N1 case involving a county resident that was announced on May 22.
Public health officials already have communicated with other people, including University employees, who have been in close contact with the affected employee as part of their investigation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says close contact for H1N1 involves being less than six feet away from the person who is sick. People who meet those criteria are told to monitor themselves for flu symptoms and to avoid contact with others except to seek medical attention. Flu symptoms include fever along with cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, diarrhea or vomiting.
We join with local, state and federal health authorities to recommend that faculty, staff and students remain vigilant about following good health practices. That means:
- 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 hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to avoid the spread of germs.
Our Department of Environment, Health and Safety is leading Carolina's response to the H1N1 flu in collaboration with the UNC Health Care System, UNC General Administration, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the Orange County Department of Public Health. We are closely monitoring H1N1 developments and will share any updates if conditions warrant.
For more information see http://alertcarolina.unc.edu, the University's Web page for campus safety information, and http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site on H1N1 influenza.
Sincerely,
The University Emergency Warning Committee
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