Columbia University Pandemic Flu Response

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    2 July 2009

    As of June 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded its pandemic alert to Phase 6 for swine Influenza A (H1N1), which is characterized by significant outbreaks in a number of countries.

    University health experts are monitoring the situation very closely and continue to urge students, faculty, staff and visitors to practice prevention and hygiene efforts to limit the potential spread of disease. Currently, there are no changes to University operations or activities.

    Remember, if you are not feeling well or have flu-like symptoms, we strongly recommend staying home from work, school or public events and large gatherings to ensure the health and well-being of yourself and others. If you experience persistent fever, combined with muscle aches or fatigue, we recommend you call your healthcare provider for an evaluation of symptoms.

    As you may know, a small number of cases of mild flu-like illness have been reported at Columbia. The University has taken steps to keep the Columbia community healthy and safe by updating this informational website regularly; posting educational fliers; and providing hand sanitizer in public gathering places, such as computer labs, dining areas and customer service desks.

    Here are some educational fliers for your use (download in English or Spanish):

    Please continue to visit this page for additional updates and resources.

    Meanwhile, you may wish to read:

    Announcements Archive

    Welcome

    To the Columbia Community:

    The historical record suggests that an influenza pandemic may occur in our time. During the twentieth century, three such global outbreaks (in 1918-1919, 1957 and 1968) caused millions of deaths and extensive illness. While neither the timing nor the degree of severity of any future epidemic is predictable, it is important that we be prepared.

    To that end, Columbia has instituted a Pandemic Preparedness Working Group (PPWG) with the charge of developing a pandemic response plan. A first draft of the PPWG plan was completed in the fall of 2006. The PPWG group is now working to help the University remain in a state of readiness. As part of these efforts, this website is intended to disseminate information about pandemic flu. If a pandemic does occur, important seasonal updates will be posted on this site as well as on the University homepage.

    I encourage you to read the information on this website. If you have any questions, please email us at
    ehs-hs@columbia.edu.

    Sincerely yours,

    Samuel Seward, M.D.
    Assistant Vice President
    Health Services at Columbia
    Morningside Campus

    If you are a student, faculty or staff member, and have persistent fever, combined with muscle aches or fatigue, please call us for evaluation of symptoms:  

    At Morningside

    Students, faculty, or staff may call
    Health Services at Columbia
    212-854-2284
    24 hours a day, 7 days a week

    At Columbia University Medical Center

    Students may call 
    Student Health Service
    212-305-3400
    Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
    Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    After hours you will be connected to the on-call clinician.

    Faculty and staff
    should call
    Workforce Health and Safety
    212-305-7580
    Monday-Wednesday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Thursday 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
    Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
    Please note that this is especially important if you have clinical responsibilities.