University Message on Swine Flu

May 5, 2009

The University of Southern Mississippi continues to closely monitor the H1N1 (Swine) flu virus outbreak and plans to proceed with commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday in Hattiesburg and Biloxi as scheduled.

We are approaching these large gatherings cautiously and are taking precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees and students as well as the many family members and friends who will be attending commencement ceremonies. Graduation represents a significant milestone in the life of our students, and we encourage our faculty members to participate.

Hand sanitizing solution will be available for visitors and participants at graduation ceremonies in Reed Green Coliseum and the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. If you are sick, please do not attend the ceremonies.

We urge you to take these everyday preventive actions:

• 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.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• If you get influenza-like illness symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, stay home from work or school except to seek medical care, and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• If symptoms occur, see a doctor immediately for a true diagnosis.

Mississippi has no suspected or confirmed cases of H1N1 to date. Nationally, 403 cases have been confirmed in 38 states.

Southern Miss will follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other appropriate agencies regarding any additional University response to this issue.

For more information, see these links:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

University of Southern Mississippi Student Health Services
http://www.usm.edu/healthservice/

Mississippi State Department of Health
http://www.msdh.state.ms.us