Infectious Disease Containment
UCF is working hard to educate the community on infectious disease prevention. Hand sanitizers have been placed in 25 locations throughout campus and we are gearing up to begin a hand-washing campaign – an extension of the Florida Department of Health’s “5th Guy” campaign. The campaign will focus specifically on behaviors that will help prevent the spread of infectious disease, should a pandemic or outbreak occur.Wash Hands Often
Cough Into Arm
Keep Sick @ Home
How is UCF preparing for a Pandemic?
Health Services, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, and other essential departments at the University of Central Florida are collaborating with the Orange County Public Health Department to develop comprehensive plans to best protect the health and wellbeing of the UCF community. Included in these plans is consideration of how to care for sick individuals at the UCF Health Center, how to maintain a healthy environment for all resident students, vaccine dispensing centers planning, and how to continue classes and services should a pandemic flu outbreak affect UCF and/or Central Florida. We are closely monitoring information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). See the Resources section, below, for additional information.Influenza (Flu) Pandemic
InformationThe flu is a contagious viral illness that can be mild to severe, at times, even fatal. Throughout history, approximately every 30 years a worldwide flu pandemic occurs, to which the human population has little immunity. These pandemics result in 20-40% of the world population becoming infected and can be highly lethal. There have been three pandemics in the past 100 years, but none have occurred since 1967. It is expected we are soon due for the next one.
In recent years the H5N1 strain of Avian (Bird) Flu has drawn attention as a possible source for the next pandemic. Although there have been no bird-to-human transmission in North America, there have been instances in Europe, Asia and Africa. 59% of the cases have been fatal.
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Meningitis
InformationMeningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Knowing whether meningitis is caused by a virus or bacterium is important because the severity of illness and the treatment differ. Viral meningitis is generally less severe and resolves without specific treatment, while bacterial meningitis can be quite severe and may result in brain damage, hearing loss or learning disability. For bacterial meningitis, it is also important to know which type of bacteria is causing the meningitis because antibiotics can prevent some types from spreading and infecting other people. Today, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis are the leading causes of bacterial meningitis.
Meningitis is an airborne disease, but is not as contagious as the cold or flu. You cannot contract it by simply sharing the same air as an infected person, but if you are exposed to their throat secretions (through coughing, kissing or sharing drinks, for example) you may be at risk. Meningitis may also be contracted through exposure to an infected person’s bodily secretions.
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Tuberculosis (TB)
InformationTuberculosis is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB most commonly affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body such as the brain, kidneys or the spine. TB is highly lethal if no treatment is received.
TB is spread easily through the air. If an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or even sings, the air can be contaminated with TB germs for several hours. Others that breathe this same air can contract latent TB. Latent TB is not dangerous because the germs are inactive. However, these inactive germs can become active, multiplying and destroying body tissue. For this reason, people that have been exposed to infected air and that may have contracted Latent TB are often treated in order to prevent the germs from becoming active.
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Currently, there is no recommended vaccine in the United States. The best way to prevent TB is to be cautious around others who seem ill or extremely fatigued.
For more information on symptoms or to aid yourself in diagnosing your symptoms, please visit Free MD.
Resources:
www.cdc.govwww.who.org
www.pandemicflu.gov
www.5thguy.com