Emerging Health Issues

Avian Flu Information

March 30, 2006

Gettysburg College administrators have been following international and national reports regardingthe Avian "Bird" Flu, including information  from the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, PA State Health Department. We are making plans should this become an actual issue for us at Gettysburg College.

Here is some basic information:  Bird flu is an infection caused by Avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. The risk from bird flu is generally low to most people because the viruses occur mainly among birds and does not readily infect humans. However, during an outbreak of bird flu among poultry (domesticated chicken, ducks, turkeys), there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with excretions from infected birds. In such situations, people should avoid contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces. In rare instances, limited human-to-human spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus has occurred, but transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person

The current risk to Americans from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Asia is low. The strain of H5N1 virus found in Asia and Europe has not been found in the United States. There have been no human cases of H5N1 flu in the United States. It is possible that travelers returning from affected countries could be infected if they were exposed, in the manner stated above, to the virus. Since February 2004, medical and public health personnel have been watching closely to find any such cases.

Currently there are no travel restriction advisories from the Center for Disease Control or the US State Department regarding bird flu affected areas. There are cautions to avoid exposure to affected fowl if traveling to those areas (see ...outbreaks/current.html below).  Anyone traveling to areas affected by Avian flu who becomes ill should seek evaluation from a health care provider.

College administrators will remain alert to all information relevant to a potential pandemic flu or other viral outbreak. The College will continue to be in touch with Department of Health, and local hospital and infectious disease officials.  In the event a local, state or federal health agency declares a viral outbreak, College administrators will implement the College Emergency Management Response Plan.  Any decision affecting the normal operation(s) of the college, based on a flu or viral outbreak, will be made by the President and her senior staff.

Further information regarding pandemic influenza can be found at:

http://www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/health/lib/health/flu/AvianFluFacts.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/current.html

Mumps Information

Spring 2006

In recent weeks newscasts have been reporting on the outbreaks of mumps. Mumps is a contagious viral infection. In recent days it was reported that 2 confirmed and potentially 4 more cases of mumps were diagnosed in students at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster Pennsylvania.
     
At this time no cases of mumps have been diagnosed at Gettysburg College. The College Health Service personnel are monitoring the incidence of mumps and are staying vigilant when seeing Gettysburg students.
     
Mumps is an acute viral infection initially starting with body aches, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite and fever. These symptoms are followed by an acute onset of unilateral or bilateral tender swelling of the parotid or other salivary glands (glands of the mouth). Transmission of the mumps virus occurs by direct contact with respiratory droplets, saliva or saliva contaminated objects.
     
Complications from the mumps infection can include deafness, pancreatitis and meningitis. The incubation time from exposure to the virus and developing symptoms is generally 16-18 days.
     
Students who develop any of the symptoms associated with mumps should be seen at the Student Health Service for evaluation by calling 337-6970 for an appointment or contact the College physician on call if the Health Service is closed (see the Health Service web page for information about how to contact the physicians).
     
Any student who has not been vaccinated for mumps should consider obtaining the vaccine at the Student Health Service. Proper vaccination can give up to 95% immunity against the mumps virus.
     
Further information about mumps can be found at the Centers for Disease Control web site listed at the bottom of the page.
      

Fred Kinsella MSN CRNP
Director Health Services
     
     
     

Related Links