A(H1N1) influenza announcement #10

Announcement #10 regarding the New Type of Influenza

Preventing infection and the spread of the virus

Following the confirmation of multiple cases of persons infected with the new type of influenza A(H1N1) virus in Osaka and Hyogo Prefectures, Osaka University has canceled all classes. Moreover, all members of Osaka University are asked to pay special attention to the following matters and act accordingly in order to preventing the spread of the new type of influenza A(H1N1) virus as well as prevent their being infected by it.

First and foremost :
For persons exhibiting symptoms such as fever, coughing, and/or diarrhea, or persons with members of their family or other persons residing in the same residence or nearby exhibiting flu-like symptoms, please contact the Department of Safety and Hygiene immediately and follow their instructions.

You are requested to observe the following :

• For the moment, please refrain from unnecessary and non-urgent outings.
• When going out, please avoid crowds as much as possible.
• Please observe measures to prevent infection of oneself and others such as coughing etiquette, washing one’s hands, gargling, and wearing a mask.
• If you come to the university for research, large group gatherings such as seminars are prohibited. Until the stipulations of the 9th announcement are lifted, please limit research to individual instruction at research departments.
• Please refer to the following guidelines from WHO, and pay special attention to preventing infection and spread of the virus.

WHO Guidelines (Summary)
For the original text, please refer to the link below.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/guidance/individuals/en/index.html

General Advice

• In urban areas, the following general measures are important to preventing the spread of the influenza virus.

For persons in good health :

• Maintain a distance of at least one meter from people with influenza-like symptoms:
• Refrain from touching your mouth and nose.
• Utilize soap and water or alcohol-based disinfectants (skin-cleaning cotton, wet tissues, etc) and frequently disinfect your hands and fingers. Please clean your hands after touching something possibly contaminated, especially one’s mouth and nose.
• As much as possible, limit your time of close contact with persons possibly infected with the A(H1N1) virus.
• As much as possible, limit your time in crowded places.
• Open windows to improve the flow of air throughout rooms as much as possible.

For persons with influenza-like symptoms :

• If your condition gets worse when home, please follow the advice from the district’s Department of Public Hygiene.
• As much as possible, keep your distance (at least one meter) from people in good health.
• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, and contain the secretion from your
• respiratory system inside the tissue. Dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash and disinfect your hands.
• Open windows to improve the flow of air throughout the room as much as possible.

Concerning the use of a mask :

• To the degree possible, cover your mouth and nose with a mask and wear it tightly in order to prevent openings between the mask and your face.
• Avoid touching the mask when wearing it.
• When touching a used mask (for example, when taking it off or washing it), use soap and water or an alcohol-based disinfectant (skin-cleaning cotton, wet tissue, etc) to disinfect your hands and fingers.
• If the mask becomes moist, immediately change it for a new dry mask.
• Do not reuse disposable masks. (Disposable masks are meant for one-time use only. Immediately dispose of a mask after removing it.)