The University of New Mexico has issued a statement recommending students return from Mexico and that groups planning an imminent trip to Mexico suspend plans until further notice due to the outbreak of H1N1 influenza, or swine flu.
Student Health Center Director Beverly Kloeppel, MD, said that there is limited epidemiological data about affected populations in Mexico. “We don’t know if there is a lot of illness, we don’t know how many have been infected; we only know those reported by HINI surveillance in Mexico. The reported cases are usually only those who present to the healthcare system” she said.
Because this year’s flu vaccine has very little effectiveness against the H1N1 virus, Kloeppel said that there is the possibility of “rapid transmission” of this flu through the population. An average of approximately 36,000 deaths have been associated with infection with the influenza virus each year in the U.S . So far, 1 death out of 226 H1N1 cases in the US has been reported during this outbreak.
Generally, flu is most dangerous in vulnerable populations, including those over 65 years of age, those with depressed immune systems or chronic medical conditions, and children <5 years of age. It is likely that this flu virus will target this population as well,” she said.
Kloeppel said that nothing she has heard indicates that the deaths in Mexico have been outside the traditional high risk populations. Early reports that 20-40 year olds are vulnerable with this particular strain have not been verified, she said.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report a human-to-human transfer rate at 5 on a scale of 1-6, indicating a widespread infection threat.
“Mutation is a concern and we don’t know how this virus will behave. It could become milder, or more virulent,” Kloeppel said. She said that it is currently not flu season, which could mean a leveling off of cases in Mexico and the U.S. If, however, the disease spreads to areas south where they are entering flu season, the potential for H1N1 to return in the fall is a possibility.
“There is no medication to completely cure the flu,” Kloeppel said. She added that anti viral drugs are most effective when used 24-48 hours from symptom development. Antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and shorten the course of the infection. They may also prevent serious influenza complications.
Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent influenza when they are given to a person who is not ill, but who has been or may be near a person with H1N1 influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70 to 90 percent effective.
About 25 percent of the United States’ strategic stockpile of the medication has been dispersed to hospitals, and 400,000 doses have been sent to Mexico.
Kloeppel said that testing for H1N1 flu is done when people present with flu symptoms, have been in close contact with a person who is a confirmed case or has traveled to, or resides in a community where there are one or more confirmed H1N1 cases. “An initial test can determine the presence of Influenza A , but CDC testing is currently required to confirm the H1N1 type. “
Institutions of higher education should promote everyday preventive actions for students and staff: 1) Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. 2) Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. 3) Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. 4) Avoid close contact with sick people. 5) Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. 6) If you get influenza-like illness symptoms, stay home from work or school except to seek medical care and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
UNM Students in Mexico
Eight UNM students studying in Mexico have been advised to return to the U.S. They are being advised not to make return travel arrangements through Mexico City, the epicenter of the outbreak, or from Cancun to Houston, the likely path the disease traveled into the U.S. Mexican universities have closed because of the outbreak, which has reduced support systems for UNM students there. Additionally, should quarantine be instituted if the outbreak were to reach pandemic proportions, the students would be unable to leave.
For students who come back early, they have been assured that they will be allowed to finish coursework online from the U.S.
Impact on UNM Programs
Several UNM summer programs in Mexico have been cancelled, including a University College program scheduled for May, but Finnie Coleman, interim dean, is withholding a decision about another program set for July.
Doug Thomas’s Anderson School program for 25 students in Guadalajara set to start May 23 has been cancelled. Additional Anderson faculty will not teach at a Research and Development facility in Queretaro, as was planned.
The School of Law's program in Guanajuato set to start June 1 has been cancelled.
Fifteen students who arranged to take intensive Spanish language programs have cancelled.
Enrique Lamadrid’s Chicano Studies course on acequia culture will not travel to Mexico, but rather examine Northern New Mexico acequia history and culture.
Richard Schaefer, director of the Cross Border Issues Group program to Central Mexico and Oaxaca, set to commence July 6, is waiting to see how the situation progresses.
Deputy Provost Richard Holder said that students who received Regents grants to study abroad may be able to change their plans to use the funds to study elsewhere.
On Campus Planning
Emergency Manager Byron Piatt said that he and other emergency planners are looking at “trigger points” for mass gatherings to assess what kind of lead time they would need to cancel events – such as commencement – should the threat of the disease rise.
Coordination between the Health Sciences Center and the Student Health Center regarding outpatient guidelines is in place. They are working closely with the Department of Health and other area hospitals.
Grades
If any classes were unable to hold finals because of the flu, the Registrar’s Office has a system in place that was instituted during the Cerro Grande fire that affected UNM-Los Alamos in May of 2000. “If faculty cannot give a final, they can assign the grade the student had going into the final. They can schedule a make-up final and report ‘N/R,’ or no report grade. The grade can be submitted later,” Holder said.
Common Sense
The CDC reminds people to avoid large gatherings and to wash their hands frequently.
For more information
H1N1 (Swine) Influenza Travel Recommendations
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at May 2, 2009 02:56 PM