May 13, 2009

Updated May 13, 2009 12 p.m.
To date there have been no suspect cases of H1N1 influenza in the Georgetown University community. Campus operations continue as normal, with upcoming events including commencement scheduled to take place as planned. University officials remain in contact with public health officials and are taking appropriate precautions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in planning for large gatherings on campus, including commencement and other activities scheduled to take place over the next week and month.

Medical experts have observed that of the flu cases seen here in the United States, the vast majority of people have had a relatively mild illness and have recovered quickly without special treatment. If you are experiencing mild symptoms of a respiratory infection without fever, it is recommended that you treat your symptoms with over the counter medications, get plenty of rest, and stay home until you feel better.

For those planning to come to campus, health officials advise that any individuals with influenza-like illness should stay home for 7 days after their symptoms begin or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours and limit their contact with other people as much as possible. Georgetown is planning to have hand washing facilities with soap and running water and hand sanitizer available throughout campus where large gatherings are scheduled. As always, first aid and emergency medical services unit are available on campus, and on site at commencement, to respond to any immediate needs.

Consistent with CDC travel warning advice and our policies, University–sponsored and University-related travel for students, faculty and staff to areas affected by a CDC travel health warning is temporarily suspended. Currently, this moratorium applies to travel to Mexico based on the existing CDC warning Those planning personal travel to these locations are encouraged to take the CDC travel health warning into account and postpone nonessential travel to Mexico at this time as well. Faculty or staff who do travel to these areas must contact the Georgetown University Medical Center’s Occupational Health Medical Director at (202) 687-0398 for a health assessment before returning to their responsibilities on campus. Students who travel to these areas must contact Student Health at (202) 687-2200 before returning to campus.

The University will continue the proactive steps we’ve put in place to limit exposure to this virus and the emergency response team will continue to monitor the situation, remaining flexible to take any additional steps that may be appropriate if the situation on campus changes.