A daily swine flu update to the Dartmouth community
from Dr. Jack Turco, Director, Dartmouth College Health Service
April 29, 2009
The World Health Organization has raised the level for the current swine influenza outbreak to Phase 5, its second highest level of alert. Phase 5 is characterized by the WHO as “human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region.”
In the past day, new cases of swine flu have been reported in Maine and Massachusetts. It is quite possible that we will see cases in New Hampshire and here in Hanover. However, thus far in the United States, the overwhelming majority of cases have presented with mild to moderate flu-like symptoms and have not been life-threatening.
As you probably know by now, Dartmouth’s Language Study Abroad program in Puebla, Mexico was curtailed due to concerns about the outbreak there. The students are now out of Mexico and on the way to their individual homes; the students will be closely monitored for any symptoms of the flu while at home and will be treated with anti-viral agents if they become symptomatic.
Dartmouth and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center officials continue to hold daily meetings to assess the situation, which is changing rapidly. The Dartmouth community will be receiving daily medical updates to help you keep up with the situation. At this point, there do not appear to be any reasons to curtail any other Dartmouth activities.
Good personal hygiene remains the best defense against contracting and spreading viruses including the swine flu. Recommended precautions include washing your hands frequently and covering your mouth with a tissue or with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop flu-like symptoms including a fever greater than 100 degrees, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, nausea and vomiting, and have been in close contact (within six feet) of a person with a diagnosed case of swine flu; or if, in the seven days of the onset of your symptoms you have been in an area where there has been a significant number of cases (including New York City, San Diego and Imperial counties in California, San Antonio and Guadalupe counties in Texas, and Mexico) you should be tested with a nasal culture for the swine flu virus.
In order to inquire about arranging for a test, call the Dartmouth College Health Service (Dick’s House) at 603-646-9401 from 8 am-5 pm; after hours call 603-646-9440.
Continually updated information remains available at the following links:
