De La Salle University - Manila

Bulletin : Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

DATE : 01 Jun 2009
TO : The Academic Community

FROM : Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC, President and Chancellor
RE: DOH Directives re Influenza A (H1N1)
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The Department of Health, in its announcement of Influenza A (H1N1) Response Level System in Schools, and Interim Guidelines No. 10 for the Prevention and Control of Influenza A (H1N1) in Schools, urges school authorities to monitor the occurrence of influenza-like illness and prevent its spread among the school population.

In compliance with the DOH directives, the University is adopting the following measures for all faculty, personnel, students, and other members of the De La Salle University community:

1. Those arriving in the Philippines from another country are required to defer going to school for ten (10) days after the date of their return.
    
2. Those who have recently arrived in the Philippines from another country, depending on their date of arrival, are required to defer going to school for the remaining number of days to complete the 10-day observation period (e.g. a person who arrived in the Philippines 6 days ago must undergo self-quarantine for at least 4 days). This is to be done even if such person has already started reporting to school.
    
3. Persons who have been in close contact (i.e. cared for, lived with, or has had direct contact with respiratory secretions or body fluids) with someone with a probable or confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) are required to defer going to school for ten (10) days after separation from contact with the case.
    
4. Persons with influenza-like illness, like fever with either cough or sore throat and other respiratory tract symptoms, are advised to seek medical attention and stay home for seven (7) days after the onset of illness or at least twenty-four (24) hours after symptoms have resolved.
    
5. Persons at high risk to develop complications from influenza (e.g. people taking steroids for chronic ailments such as asthma, very young children, people whose immune system is compromised by other illness like uncontrolled diabetes and cancer) are advised to take more stringent precautions to safeguard their health.

All those who will undergo self-quarantine are to report their decision to go on quarantine via telephone or email to the following:

During the period of quarantine, persons are to stay isolated from others, monitor themselves for signs of influenza, and to break quarantine only to seek medical attention.

All who underwent self-quarantine and did not develop any flu-like symptoms after the prescribed quarantine period are to report to the offices stated above. The presentation of the passport of those who recently arrived in the Philippines is required.

All who have recovered from sickness, or those who have ended quarantine after being in close contact with a suspect or confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) are required to obtain clearance from the Clinic before reporting to the offices stated above.

Separate announcements/directives from these offices will be forthcoming. We enjoin everyone to urge peers, colleagues and co-workers with flu-like symptoms to seek immediate medical attention, or to report to the Clinic suspect cases of influenza. In times like these, let us act both responsibly and calmly, as well as show understanding towards those afflicted or who might be afflicted by influenza. Let us also ensure our own health through cleanliness, vigilance and responsible behaviour.

Finally, let us turn to our Father Almighty for his protection and guidance and as a Lasallian family pray the Oratio Imperata issued by the Archdiocese of Manila:

God, Our loving Father we come to you in our need to ask your protection against the Influenza A (H1N1) virus that has claimed the lives of many in Mexico and has affected many more not only there but in other countries as well.

We ask for your grace for the people tasked with studying the nature and cause of this disease and of stemming the tide of its transmission. Guide the hands and minds of medical experts that they may minister to the sick with competence and compassion, and of those in government and private agencies that must find cure and solution to this disease.

We pray for those afflicted, may they all be restored to health soon.

Grant us the grace always to be filled with hope that you watch over us with love and providence and that your will for us is always good.

We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, pray for us.
Saint Roque, pray for us.

Saint John Baptist De La Salle, pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever.

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