Healthy adults may self-manage at home and be guided by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guildelines. People at higher risk for complications including those age 65 and older, children younger than 5 years, pregnant women and those of any age with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, as well as those who are immunosupressed (e.g. taking immunosuppressive medications, infected with HIV) should contact their healthcare providers.

Anyone seeking more information about the H1N1 influenza virus or possible exposure should call the Broome County Health Department at 607-778-3930. Additional information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

May 4, 2:30 p.m.

Links to additional sites

The H1N1 influenza virus continues to remain in the headlines and of importance to the Binghamton University campus. There are no suspected or confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza at the University. The World Health Organization (WHO) is coordinating the global response to human cases and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. For more from WHO. In addition, the New York State Department of Health has a site for updates on the situation across New York state.

Memo from the Incident Management Team

Date:    May 1, 2009

To:       The Binghamton University Community

From:   David Hubeny, Emergency Manager and Chair, Incident Management Team and Dr. Michael Leonard, Medical Director, University Health Service

Re:       H1N1 Influenza Update

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its pandemic flu threat level to Phase 5 -- a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the need to finalize the organization, communication and implementation of planned mitigation is urgent. The number of H1N1 influenza cases confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also continues to rise, and though there are no suspected or confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza at Binghamton University, plans are well underway to ensure the campus will be prepared for any contingency.

For the past week, the University's Incident Management Team has been meeting twice a day, monitoring the influenza situation at the global, national and local levels. This group is following Broome County Department of Health guidelines and is developing plans to respond to many possible scenarios based upon different levels of possible exposure.

Although the confirmed flu cases in the United States appear mild in nature compared to those in Mexico, we believe it is in our community's best interest to do all we can to prevent the spread of this virus. The Incident Management Team is coordinating the University's efforts and has undertaken actions which include:

• Monitoring any spread of the H1N1 influenza virus at all levels
• Identifying and stocking appropriate medical and support supplies
• Refining policies and procedures for sanitizing rooms, relocating possible suspect influenza cases to alternative housing, and responding to the need for after-hours and weekend assessment of possible suspect cases
• Instituting an educational campaign encouraging good health habits
• Developing public health plans for Commencement

Though our hope is that the campus will complete the semester without being impacted by a case of H1N1 influenza, we will continue to prepare for any possible scenario and will do our best to communicate updates to you as they are available. For the most recent status, bookmark this page and visit it for updates.

We will continue to monitor the situation until the risk has subsided, and as we move forward with our planning, our priority will continue to be the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.

April 28, 7 p.m.

Swine flu update

Binghamton University continues to follow established protocols for infectious diseases as it monitors the swine flu situation both locally and nationally.

However, these recent cases of swine flu provide an opportunity to remind us all of the things we can do to stay healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) reports that both the symptoms and transmission of this virus from human to human are much like seasonal flu.

Good health habits can help stop germs. To help reduce your exposure:

• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands. Consider use of a mask to control spread of disease.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Waterless hand sanitizers and alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Hand sanitizer dispensers are available in all campus dining halls and the Chenango Room.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, which spreads germs.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, reduce and/or eliminate alcohol use and eat nutritious food.

If you get sick:

April 27, 4:15 p.m.

No Swine Flu Cases at Binghamton, Prevention Measures Encouraged

The Centers for Disease Control confirms that people in five states, including eight cases in New York City, have contracted swine flu influenza A, which is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus with symptoms including fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and dry coughing.

No suspected or confirmed cases have been reported at Binghamton University and the University is in direct contact with the Broome County Department of Health on these matters. The University also is following guidelines it previously established and will continue to monitor this outbreak, which is not considered an epidemic or pandemic at this time. Updates will be provided to the campus community via Dateline, B-line and the Web as necessary.

For basic prevention tips that can help decrease the spread of any flu virus, visit the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. Students who experience flu-like symptoms are encouraged to visit the University Health Service. If other members of the University community are experiencing flu-like symptoms, they should visit their personal physician.

For additional information, or to report a suspected case of the swine flu, contact the Broome County Department of Health at http://www.broomesteps.org/hd or 607-778-3930.