Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSU to watch for swine flu symptoms
By Julia Terruso
Posted: 4/28/09, 2:45 AM EST Section: News
A strain of swine flu has killed 149 people in Mexico and infected 42 people in the United States as of Monday nigh, prompting an e-mail from Syracuse University Health Services to the campus community.
Onondaga County and Health Services have reported no cases of the swine flu in the area, though they said they are monitoring the situation thoroughly.
Cortland County public health officials are investigating a possible case but will not know until test results become available Tuesday or Wednesday, The Post-Standard reported.
James Jacobs, director of Health Services at SU, sent an e-mail to students reassuring them that the situation was being watched carefully. All students with flu-like symptoms at the university clinic are being monitored, he said.
Jacobs said the university has a task force in place and a number of contingency plans ready should state advisories require them. Such contingency plans could include restrictions on travel and university business in Mexico, quarantines and other directives from state authorities.
"Things are changing so rapidly right now," Jacobs said. "We can't tell you what will happen, but at this point, primarily we're watching and ensuring that the expectations of state and federal government are being met and being prepared to act on more difficult issues if this were to progress."
Jacobs said symptoms tend to be typical of seasonal influenza, which include fever, sore throat, headache, body aches and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
He said as of now it's hard to evaluate the severity of the problem.
"It's too early to know," he said. "People are dying from this illness in other parts of the world, but it's been relatively mild here."
While seasonal flu typically kills the old and very young, the new flu has infected a number of young adults whose healthy immune reactions "overwhelm them," according to the New York Times.
Jacobs said the spread of swine flu is similar to seasonal flu and students should follow simple prevention techniques, including washing hands, avoiding touching the face, covering mouth and nose while sneezing, and staying aware of advisories as they come out.
Onondaga County and Health Services have reported no cases of the swine flu in the area, though they said they are monitoring the situation thoroughly.
Cortland County public health officials are investigating a possible case but will not know until test results become available Tuesday or Wednesday, The Post-Standard reported.
James Jacobs, director of Health Services at SU, sent an e-mail to students reassuring them that the situation was being watched carefully. All students with flu-like symptoms at the university clinic are being monitored, he said.
Jacobs said the university has a task force in place and a number of contingency plans ready should state advisories require them. Such contingency plans could include restrictions on travel and university business in Mexico, quarantines and other directives from state authorities.
"Things are changing so rapidly right now," Jacobs said. "We can't tell you what will happen, but at this point, primarily we're watching and ensuring that the expectations of state and federal government are being met and being prepared to act on more difficult issues if this were to progress."
Jacobs said symptoms tend to be typical of seasonal influenza, which include fever, sore throat, headache, body aches and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
He said as of now it's hard to evaluate the severity of the problem.
"It's too early to know," he said. "People are dying from this illness in other parts of the world, but it's been relatively mild here."
While seasonal flu typically kills the old and very young, the new flu has infected a number of young adults whose healthy immune reactions "overwhelm them," according to the New York Times.
Jacobs said the spread of swine flu is similar to seasonal flu and students should follow simple prevention techniques, including washing hands, avoiding touching the face, covering mouth and nose while sneezing, and staying aware of advisories as they come out.
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