CAMPUS BULLETIN:
(9/21/09) Nationally university communities have been experiencing increasing influenza cases among students. Our campuses are particularly vulnerable to the spread of illness due to the behavioral patterns of young adults. This fall (2009), we should all be concerned with the spread of influenza (seasonal and novel H1N1) within the campus. UTEP encourages members of its family of students, faculty and staff to seek medical advice if they experience severe flu symptoms. The university also reminds and encourages all its faculty, staff, and students to do their best to protect against the flu. Due to the newly emerging 2009 H1N1 virus this year we expressly recommend that students, faculty and staff should:
- Consider getting vaccinated as soon as vaccines are available in order to build resistance against Influenza. The two vaccines offered this year are:
- Seasonal flu vaccine
- Student Health Services currently has seasonal flu vaccine available to the students of the campus at a price of $15 per vaccination.
- Additionally the campus has arranged for seasonal flu vaccination clinics to be hosted on the campus. These clinics are operated by Immunize El Paso for a fee of $25 per adult vaccination. These clinics are open to faculty, staff, students and their family members.
- So far the four vaccination clinics arranged are:
- Sept 22nd, Facilities Services Classroom, 11AM to 2PM
- Sept 28th, Library Atrium, 2nd Floor, 11AM to 2PM
- Oct 5th, Union East - 1st Floor Atrium, 8AM to 11AM
- Oct 12th, Administration, Human Resource Services, 8AM to Noon and 1PM to 5PM
- Watch for alerts at this website announcing the availability of the seasonal flu vaccine in other locations across the City of El Paso.
- Novel (Pandemic) H1N1 vaccine
- CDC projects the H1N1 vaccine to be available in mid to late October.
- The following is a list of those who should get the H1N1 vaccine:
- Pregnant women
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. Your physician can inform you if you are subject to higher risk due to existing health conditions.
- Practice Good Health Habits:
- Cover your cough
- Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, and eyes
- Don't eat, drink, or smoke after others
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Frequently clean your living quarters. If you live in a residence hall or with roommates off campus, it is important to frequently clean commonly used surfaces such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles, remote controls, computer keyboards, countertops, faucet handles, and bathroom areas.
- Stay at home if you have the symptoms of an influenza-like illness
- Primary symptoms--- fever of 100F or more, or chills and cough, or sore throat.
- Additional symptoms --- runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
- DO NOT return to the university until you have been fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours.
- Take care of yourself if you're sick. Guidance for homecare when you're sick can be found at the CDC's Web site.
At this time, the CDC is not recommending school closures for confirmed H1N1 influenza cases. It is the university's plan to follow the CDC guidance unless the number of persons affected by the influenza makes it impractical to maintain university classes and operations. The CDC recommends universities consult with their state and local health officials if a large number of cases of influenza like illness occur in their communities. The University of Texas at El Paso has been and will continue consulting with the local and State health authorities throughout the flu season.
Updates concerning University operations will be posted on this UTEP Health Update website.
If you have, general questions about the university's recommendations to minimize flu transmission, contact us at utephealthupdate@utep.edu.
Faculty and staff members with questions about sick leave policies related to the flu should refer to Human Resources for more information on policies regarding absences.
More information regarding this year's flu season can be found at: