USF Education Abroad Office Swine Flu Update
For additional information visit the Hillborough County Health Department website http://www.hillscountyhealth.org/
TAMPA, Fla. (April 30, 2009) – As of April 30, 2009, the USF Education Abroad Office has not cancelled or delayed the departure of any of its study abroad programs. We are monitoring the situation closely and will post updates as needed.
Please expect health screenings at the airports here and abroad. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of the flu (fever, coughing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, etc.) seek medical attention immediately, particularly if you have come in contact with someone with swine flu or severe respiratory illness.
We strongly encourage participants to follow CDC and WHO precautionary directions to prevent the spread of disease prior to and during your program abroad.
While abroad, the CDC advises participants to:
Monitor the local situation;
Pay attention to and follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations;
Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing;
Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty;
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket;
If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands;
Seek medical care if you feel sick.
If you are ill with fever and other symptoms of swine flu like cough and sore throat, see a doctor, especially if you think you may have had contact with someone with swine flu or severe respiratory illness in the past seven days before becoming ill.
In addition, persons traveling within the U.S. that are at high risk of severe illness from influenza (for example persons with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, and the elderly) are recommended to take antiviral medications for prevention of swine influenza during travel.
The recommended antiviral drugs for swine influenza are oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (brand name Relenza®). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for using influenza antiviral medications. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill.
Additional information about swine flu can be found here:
Hillborough County Health Department: http://www.hillscountyhealth.org/
USF Student Health Services Website: http://www.shs.usf.edu
Center for Disease Control: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx
World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
