H1N1 (swine) flu update--Nov. 16, 2009

The UAF Center for Health and Counseling has received a limited number of H1N1�Live, Attenuated and injectable vaccine for students and is planning vaccination clinics for students.�Information about upcoming clinics will be posted on�the�UAF Health and Counseling Twitter site.

The priority groups are as follows:

• Healthy students age 24 or younger

• Healthy students ages 25-49, if you live with or care for infants younger than 6 months, or if you are health care or emergency medical personnel.�

Additional vaccine information

UAF is currently working with local health providers to organize employee H1N1 vaccination clinics on the�Fairbanks campus, but due to the need to coordinate with multiple agencies, no specific dates and times have been set.�

The State of Alaska has pre-registered more than 300 private health�care providers who will distribute H1N1 vaccine when it becomes�available, this will be in addition to the many mass-dispensing�clinics which will be held.

The five groups considered to be priorities for receiving the H1N1�vaccine include:

• pregnant women;

• anyone who lives with or cares for children younger than 6 months old;

• health-care and emergency service workers;

• everyone age 6 months–24 years old; and

• adults age 25–64 who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Key facts about the H1N1 vaccine are now available online.

Should I be concerned about H1N1?

H1N1 is affecting people under the age of 25 in larger numbers than the seasonal flu.� While most people are expected to recover from H1N1 without medical treatment, the flu can be serious for those who are higher risk. The current focus is on prevention of the spread of influenza.

Please visit our updated FAQs for staff, faculty, students and parents for more information.

What other preventative measures can I take to prevent the spread of viruses?

• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, or cover your nose and mouth with�a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based�hand sanitizer.�UAF Facilities Services has installed hand-sanitizer dispensers in campus buildings

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Disinfect hard surfaces using a diluted bleach solution or�commercial sanitizer.�Custodians have ramped up their disinfecting procedures in high-use areas.

• Stay home if you get sick.

Additional resources

A�home care guide�(pdf) is now available from the DHSS.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough has also set up a call center for general information. The center is staffed from 7 - 11 a.m. Monday - Friday. Call 459-7474.

The latest information is posted on the�State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services website.

Earthquake preparedness--June 3, 2009, 1:30 p.m.

Alaska is the most seismically active state in the U.S. and is the site of the second-largest earthquake ever recorded. For more information on recent earthquakes visit the Alaska Earthquake Information Center�or visit�https://seagrant.uaf.edu/features/earthquake/index.html for more information on earthquake safety.�

UAF On Alert

H1N1 (swine) flu update--Nov. 16, 2009

Earthquake preparedness--June 3, 2009, 1:30 p.m.