H1N1 Flu

Click to return to the main Swine Flu web page

To:      All Yale Faculty, Staff and Students
From:   Linda Lorimer, Secretary and Vice President

As I am sure you know, public health officials are anticipating increased cases of H1N1 flu this fall. Virtually all of the cases to date have been no more severe than the kinds of flu many of us have incurred in the past.  In fact, the several cases of H1N1 flu during various summer programs on campus in the last month were mild, and the individuals have recovered fully.  We want to be prepared, however, in the event there are a large number of cases this semester, regardless of severity.

Plans are in place to care for those among our student populations who may get the flu. Faculty will be encouraged to work with students who may need to miss classes or key assignments due to flu.  Managers throughout campus will be preparing to carry on with essential tasks in the event of higher-than-usual employee absences.

Information for the campus community and responses to "frequently asked questions" are being posted on the web at http://www.yale.edu/secretary/emergency/swineflu.html.  There are specific plans for undergraduates, graduate and professional students living in on-campus housing, and faculty and staff.  Officials from University Health Services, the Office of Human Resources, the Provost, and the Deans' offices will be communicating with various groups over the next several weeks about those plans and other flu-related information.  As you have no doubt heard from public service announcements and other sources, the single most important thing that you can do is wash your hands, thoroughly and frequently.  You will also find several hundred portable Purell stands around campus.

If you should develop flu-like symptoms, please call the "Flu Line" at the Yale University Health Services: 1-866-924-YALE (9253) or your primary care provider.  Please stay at home or in your room for 24 hours after your temperature has returned to normal and you re free of medication such as Tylenol or similar products.

Although we hope that this virus does not disrupt the campus, we do want to be prepared. If you have questions or concerns, you may contact us by email at flu.info@yale.edu.