| The Bowie State University community is invited to a town hall meeting on Thursday, April 30 at noon in Room 102 of the Center for Learning and Technology Building to discuss our campus readiness should the Swine Influenza A, a respiratory disease from pigs, spread to the state of Maryland. Public Safety Chief Earnest Waiters and Director of the Wellness Center Dr. Rita Wutoh will lead the discussion and answer questions. What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people. Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htmCDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation. What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
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. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. What can you do to stay healthy?
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy. - Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze or touch doors. Wash hands for 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people. - Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing and hand shaking of infected people.
- If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
For more information please contact us at Bowie State's Henry Wise Wellness Center at 301-860-4170 or visit our website by clicking here. Additional information about the swine flu and reported cases can be found on the following websites: You can access the Bowie State University Emergency Plan and Pandemic Flu Plan by clicking here. |
"My experience at BSU is a wonderful one because of its community setting. The people are very personable. The diversity at BSU has helped shaped the true dynamic of this university." - Tiffanie D. Johnson
Dr. Conrad joined the Bowie State University team as a tenure track Assistant Professor in fall 2008. Dr. Conrad earned the Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Ph.D. in economics from Howard University in Washington, DC. 
Sudarat Tuntivivat describes herself as “a small town girl from Thailand” with a dream of studying other cultures. That dream led her to leave Thailand at 17 to study at Pennsylvania’s Edinboro University. As an undergraduate, Sudarat interned at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, an opportunity that inspired her to pursue an advanced degree at Bowie State University.