Information About Pandemic Influenza
Visit this page for current Stanford-related information on the pandemic influenza. Last Updated: October 15, 2007.
Campus planning for pandemic influenza response
The university has developed plans to address concerns about pandemic influenza. There is currently no health emergency on campus. We will update this site as warranted.
In the event of the threat of an outbreak in the United States, campus officials will coordinate closely with the Stanford University Medical Center, under the guidance of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to determine the best course of action to reduce the risk of infection.
Because we are a highly residential university with students, faculty and staff who do a lot of traveling, a campus wide task force of university officials meets regularly to develop guidelines and response plans related to infection control. That task force – the Infection Control Planning Group - includes representatives from the President and Provost’s Office, Vaden Health Center, Residential and Dining Enterprises, Environmental Health and Safety, Student Affairs and Human Resources.
Following are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What are the university’s plans in the event of a flu pandemic?
Our campuswide task force continues to meet regularly to review emergency plans. We have very close working relationships with Stanford’s hospitals—which have sophisticated disaster plans—as well as with our infectious disease faculty at the Medical School and with the county health department. The plan covers a range of scenarios based on various threat levels.
Public health officials have informed us that one means for minimizing the impact of an infectious disease outbreak in large populations is through “social distancing” of people. This term refers to limiting close contact of individuals so that they are less likely to spread infection. Therefore, our plan includes specific steps to be taken with regard to the suspension of classes or the closing of dormitories and asking students to return to their homes.
Where can I get the most current information about pandemic influenza?
At this time, the best source of current pandemic influenza information is the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the event that a pandemic poses a threat to the university community, campus officials will issue regular updates through a variety of vehicles. Advisories to staff members will be issued through human resources officers; those to faculty will be directed through deans and department chairs, and students will receive information through their residence deans. There also will be regular updates via the university’s homepage, Stanford Report, Vaden Health Center and the university’s Emergency Information website.
The university also has several emergency hotline numbers so that students, faculty, staff, parents and community members can access instructions and updated information:
Local: 650.725.5555
Toll Free: 800.897.4253 (800.89SHAKE)
International: 01.602.241.6769
Parent hotline: 650.725.0649
Are there any restrictions on travel for students or employees to countries affected by pandemic influenza?
As of this date, there are no restrictions specific to pandemic influenza. However, the university’s international travel policy prohibits Stanford-sponsored or Stanford-organized trips involving undergraduate students to countries where a State Department travel warning has been issued or where there is other reliable information of significant health or safety risks. No university funds can be used, or university sponsorship provided, in support of undergraduate travel to these locations. Also, the university strongly recommends against, but does not prohibit, travel by faculty, staff and graduate students to these countries. Anyone intending to travel to those identified areas should review the warnings and precautions to be taken regarding such travel.
If you are traveling to an area that has had reported cases of pandemic influenza, avoid all direct contact with live or raw poultry, including touching well-appearing, sick or dead chickens and ducks. Avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live poultry are raised or kept, and avoid handling surfaces contaminated with poultry feces or secretions. All foods from poultry, including eggs and poultry blood should be cooked thoroughly. Egg yolks should not be runny or liquid. Because influenza viruses are destroyed by heat, the cooking temperature for poultry meat should be 74°C (165°F)
Please also refer to the most up-to-date information on State Department travel warnings.
The World Health Organization’s website also contains valuable information on pandemic influenza.
What should students do to avoid flu in general?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that can cause mild to severe symptoms including fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and muscle aches. Stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, also can occur. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.
Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick.
Commonsense recommendations for preventing transmission
of colds, flu and other infectious diseases:
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