Emergency Information
May 29, 2009 4:15 PM
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has removed its recommendation that U.S. travelers avoid going to Mexico, but it continues to recommend that travelers visiting Mexico take steps to protect themselves from getting H1N1 (swine) flu. If you are at high risk of severe illness from influenza, the CDC recommends that you take anti-viral medications for prevention of H1N1 flu during your travel. These medications are available only by prescription.
No cases of H1N1 flu have been reported at Rice, and the university is following its regular schedule. The Rice Crisis Management Team is prepared to take additional action if the situation changes.
The CDC has reported 8,975 confirmed human cases of H1N1 flu in the United States. The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 1,293 cases in Texas, 96 in Harris County. Most U.S. cases are comparable in severity to seasonal influenza, and the CDC no longer advises school closure for a suspected or confirmed case of H1N1 flu unless there is extensive faculty or student absenteeism. Precautionary measures are still warranted to prevent the spread of the virus.
Staff and faculty should not come to work if they are ill. The CDC recommends that you stay home for seven days after your flu symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer, to keep from infecting others.
Basic sanitary precautions can help prevent the spread of all strains of influenza. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. If you don't have access to a sink, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. The Rice housekeeping staff is giving extra attention to wiping door handles, elevator buttons and other surfaces that the public has contact with. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers have been installed on campus to minimize the spread of germs.
We will post further updates only if there's a development that is of particular relevance to Rice. In the meantime, you can consult these sites for new numbers on flu surveillance and more health tips:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ Texas Department of State Health Services, http://texasflu.org
Questions for the Crisis Management Team can be sent to Dan Fu at Dan.Fu@rice.edu.
Kevin Kirby Chair of the Crisis Management Team
Important Rice Numbers
Rice Police
713-348-6000
News Media
713-348-6774
Automated Emergency Information
713-348-8888
Rice Switchboard
713-348-0000
Rice Counseling Center
713-348-4867 (24/7)
Emergency Communication Procedures
Communications to the University Community
The University will provide accurate and timely information to the campus community during emergencies through a variety of methods, including announcements in the news media, e-mail, voice mail, text messaging to mobile phones, web pages, emergency hotlines, and meetings in affected buildings.
In the case of a severe weather emergency, episode of campus violence or other sudden emergency, Rice may utilize emergency notification technology. Each student, faculty and staff member should report, and update as necessary, current local and home emergency contact number or address, where Rice can most effectively provide the person time-sensitive emergency information; usually this will be a mobile phone or other hand held electronic device. Rice will limit use of this emergency contact information for only the most urgent campus emergencies.
In the event of a severe, time-sensitive emergency, persons on campus may hear a loud siren, horn or other audible warning, depending on their location. Persons should, at the first safe opportunity, check for an emergency notification message sent to their primary emergency contact point, and possibly to other contact points.
Rice urges community members to take seriously any emergency notifications received via their primary emergency contact point and to respond accordingly.
Police, Fire and EMS Calls
Anyone on campus requiring emergency police, fire or medical services may dial extension 6000 from any Rice phone to reach the Rice University Police Department (or use the blue light emergency phones located around campus). You may also dial 9-1-1 to reach the Harris County 9-1-1 Service. A direct call to RUPD at extension 6000 (713-348-6000 from a non-Rice phone) may facilitate response times to campus emergency calls, especially calls for police and emergency medical services. For non-emergency situations, you may also dial extension 6000 to reach the RUPD.
Emergency Notification
If an emergency should occur, Rice University will use an automated system to notify students, faculty and staff of the nature of the emergency and of any steps the recipient should take to safeguard his or her personal welfare. To ensure that you receive this critical information in the event of an emergency, please be sure maintain updated contact information in ESTHER..