H1N1 preparations at the Mount
Message from Brian Jessop, Vice-President Administration
With the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring H1N1 a pandemic influenza virus, the University has taken steps to prepare for the impact this pandemic may have on the Mount community. A pandemic planning committee has been formed and has been meeting regularly to refine the University’s existing Emergency Response Plan to make it Influenza Pandemic specific. The plan, which is a dynamic document that will be updated as needed, has been prepared and distributed to members of the Emergency Response Team.
The University is monitoring advisories from the medical authorities and will provide updates to the Mount community as they become available. In the meantime, it is suggested that people continue to use simple measures to protect their health including: washing hands frequently; not sharing drinks, food or cigarettes; staying away from others who are ill with the flu and seeking medical advice if you experience severe flu-like symptoms. If you do become ill, stay away from public places and observe appropriate etiquette when sneezing and coughing.
Facilities Management is working diligently to clean and disinfect all high traffic areas and surfaces on campus, such as door handles and stair railings as well as washrooms and other highly used spaces before classes begin. Please be cognizant when requesting services from the team, as resources have been allocated for extensive cleaning over the next few weeks. Facilities Management asks the community to also please be patient over the next two weeks as there may be a delay in additional services.
Our University Health Service is following the Capital Health directives for treatment of those presenting with severe flu symptoms.
I would like to ensure the Mount community that in the event of a pandemic, we are prepared to handle the specific issues that will arise. In the meantime, I ask that you continue to follow the preventative measures outlined by the World Health Organization.
We will continue to monitor advisories from the medical authorities and will continue to provide updates as they become available. Beginning the week of September 1 there will be a section on the Mount’s homepage (msvu.ca) where information about H1N1, tips on prevention and regular updates will appear throughout the pandemic.