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Vanderbilt University’s Student Health Center, Medical Center, Office of Environmental Health and Safety and the Tennessee Department of Health are closely monitoring the possibility of an avian flu (bird flu) pandemic with confirmed human-to-human transmission.
At this time, there has been no direct human to human transmission of avian flu; however, the university continues to enhance its emergency preparedness procedures in order to respond to a pandemic should it occur.
We are committed to keeping you informed with the latest information regarding our response to a potential pandemic threat.
About Avian Influenza
Avian (bird) influenza is caused by influenza A virus – H5N1 – that is circulating in birds. It remains very much an avian virus and has only affected persons with close contact with birds and poultry. However, health officials warn that a major outbreak or pandemic could occur if the virus mutates into a form that can spread easily from person to person. Human infections have occurred in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Turkey and Thailand. Countries that have experienced confirmed outbreaks among poultry and other birds include Cambodia, China, Croatia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Romania, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and Vietnam.
Read more about avian influenza.
University-wide response
University health and safety officials are in contact with the
Tennessee Department of Health and the
Centers for Disease Control in order to monitor the latest information on avian flu. We are developing contingency plans should a pandemic affect our campus and will work closely with the CDC and
World Health Organization to ensure that our plans follow these organizations’ recommendations while continuing to provide quality service and care for the university community in terms of housing, dining services and security.
As part of this effort, we have developed of contingency plans for the potential threat of an avian flu pandemic that could affect our campus. The comprehensive
Vanderbilt University Pandemic Influenza Response Plan was finalized in February 2007.
This plan is based on the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization and provides for coordination between VU, VUMC, the Office of Emergency Preparedness and with the Metro Public Health Department.
The pandemic influenza plan focuses on contingencies necessary for the continuity of housing, dining services and security for our campus residents. Also, the plan provides guidance for decision-making based on the severity of the situation and recommends actions to be taken by Vanderbilt University to assure the well-being of faculty, staff and students.
Download a copy of the plan.
