Emergency Notices

H1N1 Resources

• Register With International SOS
• Travel Restrictions and Advisories
• CDC H1N1 Information
• Tulane Flu Emergency Task Force
• New Wave: Tulane Forms Flu Task Force

Emergency Home

Flu Precautions and Information - updated September 3, 2009, 3 p.m.

Dear students, faculty, staff and parents:

Like many universities across the country, at Tulane we have a number of community members with flu-like illnesses. Thus far, we have seen this influenza to be a very mild illness with symptoms milder than the regular seasonal flu. To date, none of these cases have been confirmed as H1N1 flu.

The Student Health Center, the Tulane Flu Task Force and other departments are monitoring the number of cases daily and continue to provide information on flu prevention. Tulane is following recommended procedures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Here is what you can do to help keep yourself and our community healthy:

• Practice good personal hygiene by washing your hands with soap and warm water.
• Practice good respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are spread this way.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
• Stay home if you have flu or a flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. Don’t go to class or work.
• Faculty and staff should contact their health care provider if they have the flu or flu-like symptoms.
• Students should call the Student Health Center at 504-862-8121 Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30 BEFORE coming to the center to seek treatment. After normal operating hours, students should contact the on-call physician at 504-889-3352.

For more information about flu prevention and care, and what Tulane is doing, visit

• The Student Health Center Flu Website
• The Tulane Flu Task Force
• Flu FAQs for Students
• Flu FAQs for Employees

Anne P. Baños,
Chief of Staff and Vice President

Greg Southworth, PE
Director, Office of Emergency Response

H1N1 Flu and Kidopolis - updated August 18, 2009, 12:30 p.m.

Two children who attend the Kidopolis child care center operated by Tulane University are confirmed to have H1N1 flu. Several more students, teachers and administrators exhibited flu-like symptoms and were sent home to await test results.

Due to the number of sick teachers and administrators, and licensing requirements for day care centers that mandate a certain teacher/child ratio, the university closed Kidopolis from Tuesday, Aug. 18 through Friday, Aug. 21.

The School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, in conjunction with the Office of Emergency Preparedness, has compiled a website with information on H1N1. To learn more, visit http://www.sph.tulane.edu/flu/

Tulane Monitors H1N1 Virus - updated May 19, 2009, 1 p.m.

Tulane University is closely monitoring developments in the international outbreak of influenza A (H1N1), formerly known as "swine flu."

Tulane has established a flu task force to collect information about the H1N1 virus and to make sure we are prepared. In addition, we are monitoring the actions of federal, state and local public health officials as the situation develops.

On May 15 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed their advisory warning regarding travel to Mexico. After reviewing the new CDC guidance and, in consultation with the Tulane Flu Task Force, the university is lifting its restrictions on travel to Mexico effective immediately. Faculty, staff and students may initiate, or continue, travel plans to Mexico for university-related business and projects provided the following precautions are taken:
 
- All individuals traveling to Mexico should receive a seasonal flu vaccination prior to their trip, if they have not received one previously.
 
- All individuals traveling to Mexico should obtain Travel Health Insurance.

- All individuals traveling to Mexico, or any international destination, must register with International SOS.

For more information from the U.S. CDC on travel to Mexico please visit the CDC website.

In addition, faculty, staff and students traveling internationally to destinations other than Mexico may potentially encounter travel restrictions and flu screening procedures at their destination country.  Travel restrictions and entry procedures vary widely from country to country, and are evolving as the H1N1 outbreak continues to develop. When planning travel, you are advised to seek information on the latest procedures for your destination country and be prepared to encounter delays.

Check Updates
Please consult this Web page for updated information on university operations or call the Tulane Alert Line at 504-862-8080, or 877-862-8080 (toll-free).

Receive Alerts
Additionally, circumstances permitting, the university will alert faculty, staff and students of threats or emergencies via e-mail and phone messages. For more information about Tulane employees and students receiving alerts, and also periodic updates for parents, visit Tulane's Emergency Communication Systems website.