Institute for Shipboard Education Announces H1N1 Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan

August 27, 2009: As the Institute for Shipboard Education prepares to send off the 100th Voyage of Semester at Sea, worldwide concerns over the spread of the H1N1 flu (swine flu) have triggered the implementation of a specific contingency plan as part of an ISE/SAS Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan. ISE officials, the captain and crew, medical staff, and experts are working closely with international and local public health offices to prepare for any potential outbreak.

ISE/SAS Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan: Fall 2009

• Screen all embarking participants and visitors, including visiting parents and students on embarkation day.
• Increase levels of sanitation throughout the vessel, including:
  • Monitor hand sanitizing upon embarking
  • Monitor hand sanitizing upon entering dining halls and the Union for Global Studies
• Prepare several cabins for the eventuality that an Isolation Unit is needed.
• Review medical supplies (including Tamiflu and other anti-viral medication).
• Arrange for additional supplies of Tamiflu, in the eventuality that it is needed.
• Monitor the development of flu vaccination (expected mid-fall) and continuing to evaluate the possibility of administering the vaccine to participants during the voyage.
• Monitor conditions around the world, and specifically in the countries along the itinerary, for possible medical and logistical impact.
• Increase participant awareness of preventive measures:
• Captain announcement at Lifeboat Drill, Safety Orientation, printed material, public announcements, daily reminders
• One-on-one medical consultation with high risk individuals (young children and older participants).

Possible Impacts on the Academic Program and Logistics:

• Based on screening results, some participants could be denied entry to the vessel on embarkation day.
• Contagious cases, including faculty, will be placed in isolation, which will keep them out the classroom.
• Contagious cases could be required to remain in isolation on the ship while in port.
• The ship could be quarantined or denied entry in some ports.
• Additional screening measures in some countries could delay the debarkation process and delay the dispatch of trips and FDPs (Viet Nam, Japan, China, Hong Kong).

Prevention Tips from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.
• Wash your hands often. Use soap and water and wash for at least 20 seconds. Alcohol-based gel hand sanitizers are effective, too.
• Do not share drinking cups with other people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze.
• Do your best to avoid contact with people who are not feeling well. Influenza is thought to spread person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.