Special Announcement
Emergency Preparedness Update - 6/3/2009
June 3, 2009, 7:36 am
Yamhill County Public Health (YCPH) has received its first confirmed case of H1N1 "swine flu." According to Public Health, the 27-year-old male was seen by a healthcare provider on May 14th and is recovering.
Influenza is spread by fairly close contact between persons. If you feel you are developing flu-like symptoms you should stay home. You should also call your physician to determine whether a visit is necessary. If you have had contact with a case, symptoms will usually begin within a few days.
Linfield faculty, staff and administrators are asked to call Human Resources (503-883-2594) if they will not be at work due to flu symptoms. This will help us gauge resource and related needs.
Faculty and supervisors of student workers are asked to remind McMinnville students to contact the Student Health Center or, and Portland students, the Legacy Ambulatory Services, if they experience flu symptoms.
The best source for up to date information about H1N1 (Swine Flu) is www.flu.oregon.gov which features information that employers, medical providers, schools, parents and others may use. A statewide hotline is operating between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily on weekdays. The hotline is staffed by public health experts ready to take questions in English and Spanish. The number is 800-978-3040.
May 14, 2009, 7:55 am
No cases of swine flu have been reported in Yamhill County, according to the Yamhill County Public Health (YCPH) Department. However, the health department is continuing to monitor the situation and reports that seasonal influenza is present in the community.
For up to date information about H1N1 (Swine Flu) visit
A statewide hotline is open between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily on weekdays. The hotline is staffed by public health experts who can respond in English and Spanish. The number is 800-978-3040.
The Health Department is encouraging all residents to take three important steps to make sure the flu doesn’t spread:
- Protect yourself and others by washing your hands often
- Cover your mouth with something other than your hand when you cough
- If you are sick, visit your doctor, and try to avoid public places where others will be exposed to your illness
Anyone returning from an area in which they may have been exposed to H1N1 should look for influenza symptoms and remain home if they become ill. Symptoms are likely to develop within three days of exposure.
May 6, 2009, 1:33 pm
The Oregon State Health Department, upon recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has modified the response to the H1N1 virus, reporting that “current information indicates the disease is comparable in severity to seasonal influenza outbreaks” and schools are no longer advised to close, unless rates of absenteeism warrant. They do, however, recommend that those who are ill remain at home for several days.
We continue to urge all members of the Linfield Community to take measures to limit risk, and find out about resources on campus and in the region. It is important to remember that you can take simple steps to help prevent the spread of germs such as washing your hands often with soap and water, and if you are ill, stay home – away from others. Information on other measures for preventing the spread of the flu, its symptoms, and what to do if you think you have the flu can be obtained at http://www.linfield.edu/health/swineinfo.php.
Anyone who is experiencing flu symptoms should stay home – not report to work, school or other activities – and contact their primary health care provider. We also ask all staff, faculty and administrators to call HR (503-883-2594) if they will not be at work due to flu symptoms. This will help us gauge resource and related needs.
If students are experiencing flu symptoms, those in McMinnville should contact the Student Health Center, and in Portland, either the Student Health Center or Legacy Ambulatory Services.