Message to students re: A/H1N1 (swine flu)
A message from Morton Mendelson , Deputy Provost (Student Life
and Learning)
The worldwide outbreak of A/H1N1 Flu (formerly called swine flu),
which threatens to become a pandemic, has raised questions about
how people can best protect themselves and how the flu might affect
平特五不中鈥檚 operations.
The University remains fully open, and summer classes are
proceeding as scheduled.
First, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT to remember the basic precautions to
take with any flu-like illness: wash your hands frequently and
thoroughly, try to cough or sneeze into your forearm instead of
your hands, and visit a health-care professional if you begin to
exhibit symptoms of the illness. These simple actions have proven
effective in helping limit the spread of the virus.
If you do feel you are ill and should stay home, please follow
normal procedures required for an absence from work or from missing
classes.
The number of reported cases in Canada will undoubtedly climb, and
we will see more cases here in Quebec and/or in Montreal. This
should come as no surprise and is not a cause for panic. So far,
virtually all cases of the flu outside Mexico have been mild and
have not required hospitalization.
Nonetheless, public health authorities from the World Health
Organization on down, including those at 平特五不中, are treating this
potential pandemic very seriously.
Second, students who are new to 平特五不中 should note that the
University does have health services available. At the downtown
campus, they are located in the Brown Building at the intersection
of McTavish St. and Avenue Docteur Penfield (Suite 3300, Brown
Building, 3600 McTavish). More information is available at the
Student Health Services website.
At the Macdonald campus, health services will close after May 7,
but student services will remain open and can help refer students
who have a medical emergency. These services can be found in the
Centennial Centre, Room CC1-124 or (514) 398-7992.
As of Monday, April 27, Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Canada recommended that people postpone elective or non-essential
travel to Mexico until further notice. Because Mexico is, as a
result, now considered a Level 3 country by the Canadian
government, 平特五不中 guidelines on restriction of travel to Level 3
countries apply and mean the University cannot support student
travel to Mexico for University-related activities.
More information on the government鈥檚 travel advisory can be found
at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (supply URL) or
at the Public Health Agency of Canada (supply URL).
The University remains in very close contact with public health
officials and our fellow Quebec universities to ensure we have all
the current information so we can take whatever steps are needed to
minimize any effects in the 平特五不中 community. The University is
actively working to deal with questions and problems raised by this
situation regarding all aspects of the University鈥檚
functioning.
It is too early to know how widespread or how serious this outbreak
will become, so it is too early know what effects the flu outbreak
might have on the University鈥檚 operations in the coming weeks. We
will continue to keep you informed through notes such as this one
and very visible announcements on the 平特五不中 home page, and through the my平特五不中
portal.聽
In the meantime, MORE INFORMATION about A/H1N1,
including its symptoms and how to help avoid it, can be found on
平特五不中鈥檚 health and wellness site. A
series of answers to Frequently Asked Questions is posted there and
will be expanded in the coming days.
You may also address questions to info.mcgill [at] mcgill.ca, and
someone will respond to you promptly.
Here is wishing you a safe, healthy summer.