Updates and
Current Topics

Updated: 6/17/08

• Flu Shots
• Bird Flu (Avian Flu)
• Multi-state Mumps Outbreak
• West Nile Virus
• MSU Guidelines for Food Service at Outdoor Events
• Biological Terrorism
• SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)

Flu Shots

And Don't Forget: One of the best protections against flu and other respiratory illnesses is careful and frequent hand washing, just like your mother said!

Bird Flu (Avian Flu)

Click the image to view the latest news about bird flu.

Multi-state Mumps Outbreak
Posted: 5/1/06

Iowa is currently experiencing a mumps outbreak. The majority of cases are occurring among persons 18-25 years of age, many of whom have been vaccinated for mumps. Additional cases of mumps, possibly linked to the Iowa outbreak, are also under investigation in eight neighboring states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

The vaccine recommendations are as follows:

* Persons ages approximately 18-25 years, and especially college students, should have had 2 doses of MMR or mumps-containing vaccine. Those who have had only 1 dose should receive a second dose.

* Persons born after 1956 should have had 2 doses of MMR or mumps-containing vaccine or a history of mumps disease. Those who have had only 1 dose should consider 1 additional dose.

* Persons born in or before 1956 in the U.S. are considered immune by virtue of the likely natural exposure of their age cohort. Such individuals generally do not need to be vaccinated and would not have been vaccinated according to guidelines in effect at any time during their lives. However, in the face of a significant local outbreak, a one-time dose of MMR can be considered for risk-averse individuals with the understanding that there is no data on the use of this vaccine in this age group.

* Children between the ages of 12 months and 4 years who have had 1 dose of vaccine and who are traveling to a high risk area should receive their second dose prior to travel. This is a countable dose and does not need to be repeated between the ages of 4-6 years.

* All U.S. children ages 12 months and older should routinely receive 2 doses of MMR vaccine, regardless of areas of outbreak.

International travelers who plan travel to areas with documented outbreaks should be immune to mumps, according to the criteria above.

Additional information is available at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web site.

West Nile Virus Information

• The State of Michigan's West Nile Virus in Michigan Web site offers official, up to date information on human health issues, wildlife, horse and pet issues, and mosquito control. General virus information as well as county specific updates and the West Nile Virus 2003 Response Plan.
• Read an article by Betty Wernette-Babian which overviews West Nile Virus and instructs you on what to do if you find a dead bird on or near campus.

Biological Terrorism and Other Health and Safety Related Issues

Of the many risks in our environment, bioterrorism is one that we fear because it would be particularly devastating and is an event we cannot control. The CDC has identified six biological agents that pose the greatest risk: anthrax, smallpox, plague, tularemia, botulism, and viral hemorrhagic fever. To keep things in perspective, in the U.S. in the last two years, five people died of anthrax, while in the same period of time, 1,421,520 people died from heart disease and 195,800 people died from accidents. Of the bioterrorism risks mentioned, all but one has effective treatment or preventive measures.

There are several things that are important to do to protect your general health in a time of increased stress:

1. Maintain a healthy diet
2. Exercise regularly
3. Take time with friends and family
4. Have a plan to know how to contact friends and family in case of an emergency.
5. Always observe routine safety precautions (seat belt use, avoidance of drinking and driving, personal safety precautions, etc)
6. Stay involved in meaningful activities that contribute to the community in which you live.
7. Pay attention to health and safety issues prior to international travel

Included below are several links to national and international agencies that have good information on safety and emergency preparedness.

• Visit this OSHA Web site for information on workplace Anthrax exposure guidance.
• See this CDC Web site for information public health emergency preparedness and response.
• Review the American Medical Association's Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Web site for information on bioterrorism health threats.
• See the Federal Bureau of Investigation site for information on security.
• See this US Department of Justice, Office of Domestic Preparedness Web site for information on national security.
• Visit this Environmental Protection Agency Web site for information on exposures and contamination.
• See the US Postal Service Web site for information on mail handling.
• See this State of Michigan State Police Web site for information on security and emergency preparedness.
• Information for the General Public - Visit this CDC site for an overview of Anthrax.

SARS

For more information on SARS visit the World Health Organization's Web site and type "SARS" in the Search box located in the Search box in the upper right corner.