UCSF Prepares for the Flu, Locally and Globally
Robert Kosnik
"This is the first time that we've moved it out beyond the medical center into the campus environment and we're trying to make it more accessible to campus people and view it as a first-line strategy for preventing flu for them personally and preventing outbreaks within the institution," he said.
Kosnik says it's important for everyone to get the flu shot. "For me, the No. 1 reason is to keep your family safe."
Nationwide, 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu every year, more than 200,000 are hospitalized from flu complications and roughly 36,000 people die from the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"The CDC recommends flu vaccinations for all health care workers, those in high-risk groups such as pregnant women and those with certain chronic healthcare conditions, or anyone who lives with or cares for those in a high risk category. So we're encouraging everyone at UCSF to take advantage of the free flu shots," says Adele Anfinson, Assistant Director of Student Health Services and the Communicable Disease Prevention Program.
The vaccine being administered contains an inactivated (killed virus), so it is safe and will not cause the recipient to contract an active influenza virus. It is possible, however, to experience mild side effects, such as nasal congestion, low-grade fever, aches, and soreness at the injection site.
Preparing for Avian Flu
UCSF is not only addressing influenza on a local level, but is preparing for the possibility of an avian (bird) flu outbreak.
More than 20 physicians, nurses and other members of the UCSF Medical Center, as well as members of the UC Police Department, campus Risk Management and Environmental Health & Safety, met on Sept. 29 to establish departmental plans in the event that someone arrives at UCSF Medical Center carrying the avian influenza virus, known as H5N1.
H5N1 is an influenza virus found naturally in birds which has crossed the species barrier to infect humans. Most cases of H5N1 infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry, and the virus has become widespread in Southeast Asia and China since 2003. Although H5N1 has infected more than 200 people and caused roughly 100 deaths worldwide, there have been no cases documented in the US, according to the CDC. But many experts fear that a human plague may emerge if H5N1 acquires the ability to spread directly from person to person.
To address the potential threat of H5N1 at UCSF, Medical Center Infection Control Director, Amy Nichols, developed an Outbreak Response policy. The meeting's objectives were to familiarize personnel with the outbreak policy, test key elements of the policy against two theoretical scenarios in which a patient is carrying H5N1, and identify opportunities for improvement in the response process.
This exercise was a follow-up from a meeting held by the San Francisco Department of Public Health, requesting that all San Francisco hospitals discuss the two theoretical scenarios and devise appropriate communication, notification and quarantine protocol.
"The purpose of the exercise was for key personnel, from many departments on campus, to know what to do if this situation actually arose," says Susan Garritson, RN, DNS, UCSF Bioterrorism Coordinator. "We want to let the community know that we are preparing and identifying opportunities for improved preparation."
A second exercise will occur in six months to develop the plan further and coordinate with the City of San Francisco's outbreak plan.
Related Links:
Communicable Disease Program
Employee Health Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (flu recommendations)