H1N1 Influenza Updates
This is Milwaukee Area Technical College's official site for information related to H1N1. In addition to college-related updates, links to helpful web sites are provided. Please visit this page for the latest news from MATC.
An H1N1 Response Team meets weekly to stay apprised of developments related to this issue. Interim President Dr. Vicki J. Martin is committed to being prepared and responding quickly to keep MATC a healthy college.
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Can the flu and H1N1 viruses live on surfaces, such as computer keyboards? |
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Yes, flu viruses may be spread when a person touches droplets left by coughs and sneezes on hard surfaces (such as desks or door knobs) or objects (such as keyboards or pens) and then touches his or her mouth or nose. However, it is not necessary to disinfect these surfaces beyond routine cleaning. |
H1N1/Seasonal Flu Clinics
Find an H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccination clinic by visiting http://wisconsinfluclinic.info/.
November 4, 2009
H1N1 Flu Mobile Texting Pilot
Sign up now to have important CDC information about H1N1 flu and other topics delivered directly to your mobile phone!
http://www.cdc.gov/mobile/
October 2, 2009
Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Vaccination Updates
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of 1 dose of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine in individuals 10 years of age and older (6 months to 9 year olds will likely need 2 doses separated by at least 3 weeks).
The CDC anticipates that at least 3 million doses of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) -- commonly known as Flumist® -- will be available in the first week of October. LAIV is approved for healthy individuals aged 2 – 49 years of age. Initial doses are expected to be focused on healthcare workers, with additional doses by mid-October for all 5 key target groups.
There are two type of flu vaccine. Pregnant women should get the "flu shot"— an inactivated vaccine (containing fragments of killed influenza virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in pregnant women.
The other type of flu vaccine — nasal-spray flu vaccine (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine)—is not currently approved for use in pregnant women. This vaccine is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
September 17, 2009
Excerpts from City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) H1N1 Situational Awareness Report #2
MHD will follow the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations regarding the following five key target groups for vaccine (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm)
1 - Pregnant women
2 - Persons who live with or care for children less than 6 months of age
3 - Healthcare and emergency services personnel
4 - Persons between the age of 6 months and 24 years of age
5 - Persons from age 25 to 64 years who are at higher risk for Novel Influenza A (H1N1) because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems
There is currently seasonal influenza vaccine within the community. MHD is recommending seasonal influenza vaccine for everyone - and individuals who fall within the target groups of Novel Influenza A (H1n1) Vaccine should not delay receiving seasonal influenza vaccine until Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine becomes available.
City of Milwaukee Vaccines http://www.milwaukee.gov/flushots
September 15, 2009
To the MATC community:
As you may know, flu can be spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at MATC for as long as possible, but, we need your help to accomplish this. One way to prevent the spread of flu is to get a seasonal flu shot, either at MATC or from another provider. Talk with your health care provider about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu.
We are working closely with the City of Milwaukee Health Department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.
For now, we are doing everything we can to keep our institution operating as usual. Here are a few things you can do to help:
• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
• Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering. When exhibiting symptoms, call your health care provider.
• Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don’t go to class or work. Be sure to advise your instructor and/or supervisor via telephone or e-mail about your illness. Students are encouraged to speak with each instructor to learn more about his/her attendance policy.
• If you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.
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