Editor's Note: This special "pandemic flu" edition is designed to raise awareness of the possibility of a global influenza outbreak. While this possibility may seem remote at this time, the Boulder campus can only respond to a flu pandemic or other emergency as well as we prepare for it in advance. The articles in this issue are designed to help us understand, prevent and prepare for pandemic flu, including information on international travel, infection control and business continuity planning we can all use to help make CU-Boulder a "No Flu Zone."

Understanding the Differences Between Seasonal, Avian and Pandemic Flu
Medical experts at the World Health Organization believe the world is due for its next flu pandemic in the near future. The first step in preparing for this possibility is learning what a pandemic flu is and understanding how the influenza strains that might cause one differ from the seasonal flu that strikes each year. More >>

Washing Away the Flu
A major effort is underway across the campus to educate the campus community about the value of frequent hand washing in stopping the spread of flu viruses. Recent concerns about the possibility of pandemic and avian flu have heightened awareness of prevention programs as a proactive strategy. More >>

Better Safe Than Sorry: Rehearsing for a Flu Pandemic
Two hundred beds lay ready to receive patients suffering from flu at the Surge Treatment Center at the Boulder County Fairgrounds on September 27. CU-Boulder was heavily involved in planning and executing the county-wide Surge Treatment Center exercise, in which emergency workers simulated how they would prepare for a surge of patients in a flu pandemic. More >>

		Podcast Focuses On CU-Boulder's Pandemic Flu Plan And Efforts To Keep Campus Informed, Healthy A new podcast produced by the University of Colorado at Boulder News Services office highlights what the campus is doing to prepare for a potential flu pandemic.
		CU-Boulder Ramps Up To Handle Pandemic, Common Flu Outbreak Departments across the University of Colorado at Boulder have been gearing up since last spring for the possibility of a pandemic flu outbreak in the event the H5N1, or avian influenza virus, makes its way to the United States and begins spreading from person-to-person.
		Healthy CU-Boulder Students, Employees Are A Priority Across Campus, In Residence Halls; Hand-Washing Effort Stepped Up On Campus Resident advisers in University of Colorado at Boulder residence halls who are used to helping new students learn their way around campus this fall are dispensing advice about reaching for hand sanitizers and soaps in bathrooms, dining halls and other public places.
		More News >>

This Site CU Web Site CU People

• Pandemic Planning Committee and Pandemic Communications Committee Lead Campus Planning Efforts
• Housing & Dining Services a Campus Leader in Proactive Efforts
• FacMan Organizes Trainings for Staff Members
• CU Bookstore Supplies Customers with Informative Sources

• What Is a Worldwide Pandemic?
• The Pandemic of 1968
• Human-to-Human Transmission is Rare
• Additional Resources