Swine Flu Outbreak - Spring 2009

As you are aware, Ohio has confirmed one case of swine flu while other cases are pending. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending any school or institution that has a swine flu outbreak close for one week as a precautionary measure. While the College has not been made aware of any such cases affecting faculty, staff or students, College officials are proactively discussing measures to continue course delivery should normal business operations involuntarily cease. Some of these measures could include, but are not limited to, conducting classes and/or final exams on line or via Angel and utilizing U.S. Postal services to mail final exams and/or course-related materials. The College will communicate information to you as it becomes available and often.

Additional measures being implemented to limit the transmission of the swine flu on our campus include erecting hand hygiene posters in all rest room facilities, encouraging the use of hand sanitizer in office locations and disinfecting hard surfaces (entryway door handles/crash bars).

There are still many questions to be answered regarding the swine flu. To help protect you and your family, College officials would like to remind everyone of the importance of practicing the following respiratory and hand hygiene measures to reduce your chances of becoming ill:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

For more information about the Swine Flu, symptoms and the current outbreak, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.

The Ohio H1N1 (swine flu) Information line is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please call 1-866-800-1404 for answers to your questions about swine flu.

The LCCC Library has created a site with detailed information about the outbreak. Visit http://libguides.lorainccc.edu/swineflu