• H1N1 Preparedness
   
  
 

H1N1 Flu Preparedness

H1N1 Influenza

World Health Organization Flu Update: No Travel Restrictions

The World Health Organization announced on Thursday, June 11, 2009, that the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met, based on the spread of H1N1 influenza A. WHO has, therefore, raised their pandemic alert level from phase 5 to phase 6.

The WHO has reiterated that the overall severity of the pandemic is moderate; most people recover from the infection without the need for hospitalization. Overall levels of serious illness are similar to seasonal influenza, and hospitals and healthcare systems have been able to accommodate people seeking care. WHO continues to recommend no restrictions on travel and no border closures.

The Office of International Studies at Goucher College will continue to monitor this situation in countries where Goucher students are studying abroad.

General Information

The Office of International Studies is providing this health information related to H1N1 Influenza in the United States and abroad. General information for students about staying healthy as well as specific information on this type of influenza has been shared with students on our programs abroad. Since the safety and security of all of our students is of paramount importance to everyone here, we are monitoring and assessing developments around the world carefully.

Airport staff in some countries are checking the health of arriving passengers. An updated announcement about travel delays due to H1N1 screening is available at: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/id/1194.aspx. Additional information about H1N1 influenza is posted on the CDC Web site and the World Health Organization (WHO) Web site.

Public health authorities also recommend the following measures for staying healthy:

  • 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 also are effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through the coughing or sneezing of infected people. 
  •  If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

We will continue to keep abreast of current information and to monitor conditions.  You may find additional information about the flu, and the Goucher community’s response and precautions regarding the flu, on this section of the Goucher web site.