Press Releases
Posted on Friday, May 01, 2009 - General News
Take Precautions Against Swine Flu at Commencement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/1/2009
CONTACT:
- Dave Stephenson, Office of Public Safety, 360-546-9004, dstephenson@vancouver.wsu.edu
- Office of Marketing and Communications, 360-546-9602, news@vancouver.wsu.edu
VANCOUVER, Wash. - Washington State University Vancouver students come from all around the world. This means the 2009 WSU Vancouver commencement ceremony scheduled for May 16 at The Amphitheater at Clark County will be attended by visitors from around the globe.
At this time, a number of countries, including the United States, are experiencing an outbreak of the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) virus, commonly called swine flu. While no cases have been reported on campus, there is a possibility that someone visiting for graduation could bring with them the H1N1 virus.
WSU officials, in conjunction with local Public Health authorities, welcome visitors to the WSU Vancouver campus and the commencement ceremony at The Amphitheater at Clark County but ask guests to observe the following precautions:
- If you are ill with a respiratory condition that includes fever and a cough, do not attend the graduation ceremony or other gatherings with crowds. Please stay home if you are ill.
- Cover your cough with your sleeve or a tissue. Dispose of the tissue immediately in a trash receptacle. To learn more, view a brief video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wju7F5ytk6M
- Wash your hands frequently. When soap and water is not available, carry a waterless, alcohol-based hand cleanser. Use it often.
- Avoid touching your hands to your mouth, nose or eyes.
- Shaking hands is a common custom for greeting and congratulating friends and family. This practice spreads germs. It is actually safer to give a hug.
- Medically fragile populations, such as those with chronic diseases or the elderly, may choose to avoid crowds to limit their potential for exposure to viral illnesses and the flu.
For updates on the progression of this flu, visit http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/alerts/ or http://www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu/default.htm.
WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service. WSU Vancouver offers 16 bachelor’s degrees, 10 master’s degrees, one doctorate degree and more than 36 fields of study. To learn more visit http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu .
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