Statement

May 11, 2009

Story Contact:  Christian Basi, (573) 882-4430, BasiC@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. ¬- University of Missouri officials have confirmed the identity of a student who recently was diagnosed with the H1N1 flu strain in China. The student, whose name is being withheld due to federal privacy laws, left MU on May 7.

MU officials are working with campus and public health professionals to investigate the situation and determine what actions, if any, should be taken.
 
"We continue to recommend that individuals follow the health guidelines that have been publicized earlier to avoid the spread of respiratory illness," said Susan Even, director of the MU Student Health Center.

Those recommendations include:

- Practice good hand hygiene, including washing hands and using hand sanitizers.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and place it in the trash, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
- Avoid crowds and people with compromised immune systems, and stay home.
- Seek medical attention only as symptoms warrant.

"At this time, as we've observed the H1N1 influenza in this country, the illness does not appear to be any more serious than the seasonal flu," Even said.

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