Los Angeles Loyolan – LMU addresses swine flu
A health advisory has appeared on MYLMU concerning the prevention of the swine flu. on Monday, April 27, Senior Vice President Dr. Lane Bove of Student Affairs assured the LMU community that LMU and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Services are working together to respond appropriately to the international situation. to date, no one at LMU has contracted the swine flu.
The swine flu, otherwise known as H1N1, is a virus infection that has affected people internationally and in the U.S. Symptoms are similar to the typical flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. other reported symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. Infection can lead to other severe illnesses such as pneumonia and respiratory failure, which can be fatal.
The swine flu is especially relevant because the virus seems to be infecting those most healthy in the population, including young people. the office of Human Resources has asked LMU faculty, students and staff to take precautionary measures. Their health advisory reads, “If you are an employee and experience these symptoms, call your supervisor and request a sick day. if you become ill at work, notify your supervisor and then contact your usual health care provider.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of April 29, 91 cases have been confirmed in the U.S., including 14 cases in California. Of the 17 probable California cases, only two have been reported in Los Angeles County. A startling 51 cases have been reported inNewYork and 16 in Texas. so far, only one person has died of the swine flu in the U.S. the patient was a 22-month-old boy from Mexico who died in a Houston area hospital.
Yesterday, the World Heath Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to phase five on a six point scale. Phase five is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause community-level outbreaks. Furthermore, the outbreak has to be confirmed in at least two countries in a single “WHO region,” in order to suggest that a pandemic is imminent.
The swine flu currently does not have a vaccination. it is potentially fatal because as the flu spreads from person to person, it can mutate, making it harder to diagnose and treat. People have no natural immunity from the contagious respiratory disease that normally affects pigs. WHO has already confirmed that you cannot contract the virus by eating pork. Lisa Farrell, General Manager of LMU Sodexo, has said that no one has been concerned with pork being served in Sodexo dining facilities. “I haven’t heard anything like that,” Farrell said.
Although there have only been seven confirmed deaths in Mexico, where the virus was first detected, health officials suspect the flu to have caused 150 other deaths and approximately 2,500 cases of illness. Mexican officials have responded by requesting that residents wear facial masks that cover their mouth and nose, a scene similar to those that experienced the Bird Flu in Asia from 2004-2007. Mexico has also ordered that public venues in Mexico City be shut down or only serve take-out in order to control the spread of the virus.
Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu and Relenza are effective only if taken in the early stages after contracting the infection. according to CNN, “the U.S. is distributing 25 percent of its stockpile of antiviral medications … to all states.” Students who have experienced flu-like symptoms in the last 48 hours should call the Student Health Center at 310-338-2881.
Anti-virals (Tamiflu, Relenza) are only effective if taken in the early stages of the illness. therefore, the last sentence in the address should read:”Students should call the Student Health Center at 310-338-2881 within the first 24 to 48 hours of the onset of flu-like symptoms.”