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Syracuse University & Pandemic Flu Preparedness Syracuse University maintains several standing committees that focus on emergency planning and management. Among these is a specialized committee focused on pandemic flu preparation and response.Created by Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor and led by Dr. James Jacobs, director of health services, and David Pajak, director of risk management, SU’s Pandemic Flu Preparedness Committee includes representatives from a wide array of units across campus, including Academic Affairs, Athletics, Auxiliary Services, Enrollment Management, Environmental Health, General Counsel, Government and Community Relations, Health Services, Hendricks Chapel, Human Resources, Lubin House, Maxwell School, Public Affairs, Public Safety, Research, Residence Life, Risk Management, Student Affairs, Slutzker Center, SU Abroad, Telecommunications and University College. SU’s Pandemic Flu Preparedness Committee has been working with national resources, as well as the Onondaga County Health Department and the Onondaga County Division of Emergency Management, to plan and review University policies and procedures that would be implemented in the instance of an influenza pandemic. What is pandemic flu? Pandemic flu is a widespread outbreak of disease that occurs from a newly emerged strain of flu virus to which people have not been exposed before. A pandemic can last a short time or for months at a time. Pandemic flu has not been identified in the world today, but there is concern about the H5N1 avian flu virus that has been infecting birds in Southeast Asia and parts of Europe and Africa, which could lead to a flu pandemic. Some humans in these regions have been infected with H5N1 avian flu, usually after having direct contact with infected poultry. Public health officials are concerned that the H5N1 avian flu virus could change into a new form that could easily spread from person to person. Public health officials reinforce the importance of organizational and personal preparation. Personal information is available online from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu resource page for individual and family planning (http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab3.html#checklist). Questions? (sunews@syr.edu) |