What To Do About The AVIAN FLU

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What To Do About The AVIAN FLU?
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The Avian Flu? Is That Like a Cold?

• NO! The Avian Flu, according to the World Health
  Organization, is a large group of different
  influenza viruses that primarily affect birds.
• While the Flu primarily stays within the bird
  population, strain H5N1 has the pandemic
  potential to adapt into a strain that is
  contagious to humans.
• Most humans have no immunity towards this
  pandemic virus, therefore infection and illness
  rates among humans are highly elevated.

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We Get Out of School?!?

• Dont get too excited, the pandemics not here
  yet!
• However, if the pandemic does begin transmitting
  human-to-human it has the potential to spread
  very quickly, so we need to BE PREPARED!
• If necessary, university functions could be
  reduced for a period ranging from 2-4 weeks up to
  SEVERAL MONTHS!
• The Universitys goal is to minimize risk of
  exposure to faculty, staff and studentsbut we
  need YOU!

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Things To Do To Avoid Exposure

• IF the pandemic emerges,
• DONT
• -hug or kiss anyone
• -shake hands with anyone
• -come in close contact with large groups
• DO
• -WASH YOUR HANDS
• -Consult a physician if body temperature elevates

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What Happens If The Pandemic Emerges?!?!

• University of Maryland has issued a response plan
  that will be activated in several escalating
  levels
• LEVEL 1 Human-to-human transmission has been
  reported internationally.
• University remains OPEN
• LEVEL 2 First case verified in US.
• Steps will be taken to eliminate large gatherings
• Classes will be CANCELLED
• Academic programs will begin shutting down

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• LEVEL 3 Within 1-5 days of declaring Level 2,
  all university residences will CLOSE.
• Students must temporarily move out of residence
  halls until further notice
• LEVEL 4 Campus is officially CLOSED.
• Campus has been evacuated, residence halls are
  closed
• Access onto campus is sealed off for vehicles and
  pedestrians

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Start Packing!

• While the pandemic is not an issue yet, it is
  important to have an EMERGENCY PLAN
• Have your airline or travel reservation
  information handy
• Collect contact information for friends and
  family
• Create a back-up plan (travel, classes, etc.)
• In the event of campus closure, any earnings you
  should receive will only be issued
  electronically, so arrange for direct deposit!
• Build a Personal Emergency Kit (food, water,
  filled prescriptions, health and hygiene items,
  contact info)
• Computer and Books in the event of online courses

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The Take Home Message

• While the Avian Flu has not yet spread through
  human-to-human exposure nor to the United States,
  it is important to have an emergency back-up plan
  that will ease your transition out of the
  residence halls if the university were close.
• ALWAYS BE PREPARED!

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Questions?

• Ask your RA!
• Go online www.resnet.umd.edu
• Other helpful websites for planning
• www.transportation.umd.edu
• www.helpdesk.umd.edu/pandemic
• http//compnet.comp.state.md.us/cpb
• http//www.testudo.umd.edu/apps/saddr/
• Use this website to give the university your
  contact info!