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In light of the recent outbreak of swine flu, President Diana Natalicio has appointed a task force comprised of university departments such as the Student Health Center and UTEP Food Services.
The task force, to be chaired by Robert Moss, director of Environmental Health and Safety at UTEP and Irene Chavez, special assistant for human resource development, will advise university officials on strategies to address the outbreak in Mexico as well as Texas.
"(UTEP) is taking the swine flu very seriously and is closely monitoring the situation," Natalicio said. "It is important to remain calm and use expertise available to us."
Swine influenza, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, is a respiratory disease found in pigs but transmittable to humans. A new strain of the disease that is highly contagious among humans was first reported in late March, and as of April 27 has affected about 1,900 people and has caused about 150 deaths in Mexico according to the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC has reported about 40 confirmed cases in the U.S. in states such as New York, California, Texas, Ohio and Kansas. There have been four suspected cases in Ciudad Juárez the El Paso Times reported April 27. No cases have been reported in El Paso.
Students need to recognize the symptoms and engage in precautions one would take for any other flu, Natalicio said. Symptoms in adults, according to the CDC Web site, include sudden dizziness, shortness of breath and pain in the chest or abdomen. Protective measures include hand-washing and covering one's nose and mouth when sneezing. There is no vaccine available at the time.
In addition to the task force, which also includes elements from Student Affairs and Facilities Services, Natalicio sent a bulletin to the UTEP community. Saying UTEP would be closely monitoring the disease's developments.
"University classes, operations and events will continue as scheduled," Natalicio said.
The bulletin advises faculty, staff and students on flu-like symptoms and tells to avoid contact with people experiencing such. If people start having trouble breathing, they should seek medical care for antiviral medications that exist to prevent and treat the swine flu.
The bulletin contains details about the task force and health information from the CDC about the disease, symptoms and ways to respond in case of infection.
The El Paso Department of Public Health will also be in communication with the university.
Border commuters and students from Mexico make up about 1,500 students at UTEP, but they are not more likely to contract the flu, Natalicio said.
Classes could be restricted or special events could be canceled if the situation worsens Natalicio said.
"But there is no need to panic or to take drastic action," she said. "We all need to learn more about this thing."
Jaganath Raspopovich, sophomore biological sciences major is not worried.
"I don't get sick often. I have a pretty good immune system," Raspopovich said.
For more information, please see the CDC Web site www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.
Symptoms
• Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Stuffy nose
• Chills
• Headache and body aches
• Fatigue
• Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
To prevent
• Major health organizations, such as the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Public Health Agency of Canada agree that handwashing and hand sanitizing with an alcohol-based hand rub are especially critical to minimize the spread of germs during times of illness outbreak. The CDC recommends:
• 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, especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Jorge Gomez may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.
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