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H1N1 Influenza Announcement

Study Abroad staff and faculty at the University of Chicago are continually monitoring our overseas locations and evaluating recommendations regarding the H1N1 influenza virus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and our local networks on-site. Currently there are no changes planned for our study abroad programs. Should the situation change in a way that requires adjustments, we will contact our students immediately.

As the CDC advises, “Healthy people may make travel plans as they normally would and take common sense precautions to protect their health during travel.” The CDC recommends that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of flu discuss their travel plans with their doctor.  A list of high risk populations can be found on the CDC Travelers’ Health website. We encourage program participants with questions about their own health needs to discuss their travel plans with a physician. If you are sick with symptoms of influenza-like illness, you should postpone travel.

The WHO designation of a Phase 6 pandemic alert does not reflect an increase in the severity of the illness, but rather a continued geographic spread of newly reported cases. The CDC reports that “Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment.”  Students who experience flu-like symptoms on site should contact the program graduate assistant or on-site staff. 

According to the November 5, 2009 CDC update, “A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu infection. For information about the 2009 H1N1 vaccines, visit H1N1 Flu Vaccination Resources. For information about seasonal influenza vaccines, visit Preventing Seasonal Flu With Vaccination.”  In addition to receiving the flu vaccine, the CDC recommends taking the following practical measures to help prevent the spread of illnesses like the flu:

• 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. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

We advise our program participants to familiarize themselves with the most current H1N1 virus developments via the following websites:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention H1N1 Information
World Health Organization H1N1 Information
U.S. Department of State Medical Information for Americans Abroad
Flu.gov
University of Chicago Student Care Center H1N1 Information

Contact Information Questions and concerns about Chicago's Programs Abroad may be addressed to:

The Study Abroad Office
Harper 203
studyabroad@uchicago.edu
773-702-9442