H1N1 Flu Updates and Info
Maine’s community colleges continue to prepare for the possibility of an outbreak of the H1N1 virus on college campuses this fall. Each of the community colleges has developed web-based resources designed to update and inform its campus community:
Central Maine Community College
Eastern Maine Community College
Kennebec Valley Community College
Northern Maine Community College
Southern Maine Community College
Washington County Community College
York County Community College
Useful information about H1N1
What you can do to prepare for and deal with the flu
Federal and state guidance for colleges and universities
Other important resources
What you can do to prepare for and deal with the flu
Simple, everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like the flu.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- 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 hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Federal and State public health agencies have developed many resources to help individuals prepare for and deal with the flu.
These include
- What to do if you get flu-like symptoms: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm
- Caring at home for someone with the flu:
Home Flu Care Guide: http://www.sfcdcp.org/document.html?id=223
CDC Guidance: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm - Emergency supply kit checklist: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html
- Household communications plan: http://www.ready.gov/america/makeaplan/index.html
What's guiding our response?
Maine’s community colleges are working closely with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and local emergency management agencies to stay informed and ensure a coordinated, effective response to a possible flu outbreak. The MCCS is also following closely the guidance of both the state and federal Centers for Disease Control. This guidance includes:
- Maine CDC Update on Novel H1N1 (August 12, 2009)
- CDC Guidance for Response to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year (August 26, 2009)
- H1N1 Preparations for Residential Schools (ME CDC guidance) (August 4, 2009)
Other important resources for you to know about:
- Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, H1N1 Resources http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/swine-flu-2009.shtml
- Federal Centers for Disease Control, H1N1 Resource Page
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/