http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/ News about Emergency Preparedness from Emergency Preparedness en-us Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:31:38 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4144/Top-10-Things-You-Should-Not-Share-on-Social-Networks http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4144/Top-10-Things-You-Should-Not-Share-on-Social-Networks Make sure you know how what you're posting affects you, your family, and your job!     Certainly you know that social networking Web sites are the latest and greatest way to interact with other users on the Internet. Thirty-five percent of adults on the Internet now have a profile on at least one social networking site, and 51 percent have more than one. Three-quarters of users between the ages of 18 and 24 have an online profile [source: USA Today]. The Pew Research Center found that 89 percent of these people use the sites to keep up with friends, 57 percent to make plans with friends and 49 percent to make new friends. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Friendster, Urban Chat and Black Planet are just a few of more than 100 Web sites connecting folks around the world who are eager to share their thoughts and feelings. But just like in real life, there's such a thing as sharing too much information (TMI). It's easy to get caught up in the social aspects of sites like Facebook, but what you choose to share is there for all to see if you don't limit who can view your information. The same study by Pew Research found that 40 percent of users have open access to their profiles, allowing anyone to view their information. The other 60 percent restrict access to friends, family and colleagues. Sharing personal information with strangers can be dangerous business, and there are some things you should definitely put on your "do not share" list. 10.  Personal Conversations 9.  Social Plans 8.  Linking Sites 7.  Company Information 6.  Photos of Your Kids (Publicly) 5.  Your Address and Phone Numb 4.  Personal Finance Information 3.  Your Password 2.  Password Hints 1.  Anything You Don't Want Shared Details of this top 10 "do not share" list can be found at http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/information/10-things-you-should-not-share-on-social-networks.htm.  Keep yourself and your family safe. Bryant, Charles W. "Top 10 Things You Should Not Share on Social Networks." 01 July 2009. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/information/10-things-you-should-not-share-on-social-networks.htm> 03 August 2009. Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4006/CDC-Telebriefing-on-Investigation-of-Human-Cases-of-H1N1-Flu http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/4006/CDC-Telebriefing-on-Investigation-of-Human-Cases-of-H1N1-Flu   Operator: At this time, your lines have been placed on listen only until we open up for questions and answers. Please be advised that today's conference is recorded. I will turn the conference over to Mr. Tom Skinner. Tom Skinner: Thank you, Lauren. Thank you all for joining us today for this update on H1N1. Today we have with us the deputy director of our influenza division, Dr. Daniel Jernigan who will replied a brief update for you and then open it up for questions. Dr. Jernigan. Daniel Jernigan: Thanks a lot. The H1N1 continues to circulate in the United States. There are localized outbreaks that are ongoing in several states. Those include Arizona, California, Illinois, New York, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin that have reported the most activity so far. There is on our website regional influenza activity that folks can go and look up. In New York City and in surrounding areas, they are seeing increased levels of novel H1N1 influenza. Some schools in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are temporarily closing when there's evidence of unusually high and sustained number of flu-like illnesses. The New York City health department is an incredible health department, has been working nonstop and they have noted through their own surveillance systems some sharp increases in visits to the emergency departments for influenza-like illness. In terms of the global cases, there have been reported to W.H.O. over 10,000 confirmed cases in 41 countries. In Mexico, there is ongoing transmissions that overall possibly less activity being reported in some of those areas. The total probable and confirmed cases in the United States continues to rise. There are now reported eight fatalities. Of the viruses that have been collected through the surveillance systems in the United States, most of those viruses, about 78%, are the novel H1N1 influenza. We know the known confirmed and probable cases represent, again, only a portion of the number of people that are infected or ill from the virus and, so, there is likely to be increased numbers of cases out in the community. In the United States, as I mentioned, there were eight known fatalities. There are 247 individuals that have been hospitalized and over 70% of those are of those hospitalized patients have had underlying chronic medical conditions, including pregnancy. Asthma and heart disease are some of the most common. So far, we know that individuals that are being hospitalized, many of them are receiving antibacterial therapy or treatment with antibiotics. What we are seeing not as much of is the use of antivirals in H1N1 are being first being seen and being admitted of what are suspected to be H1N1 or suspected to be influenza, but, in addition, we know a number of the cases that have been hospitalized have presented with pneumonias and we want to be sure that those individuals do receive antivirals for pneumonia because that is one presentation that we're seeing with H1N1 hospitalizations. So far, the largest number of Novel H1N1 confirmed and probable cases, over 60% remain in the 5- to 24-year-olds. Of those that are hospitalized, 40% are in the 19- to 49-year-olds. So far, we continue to provide diagnostic kits to a number of countries around the globe and to many states. 44 of them are now able to do their own confirmations. In terms of a vaccine, the production of seasonal flu vaccine is nearly complete and will be completed hopefully as planned. Efforts to grow the candidate vaccines, viruses, for this Novel H1N1 vaccine are well under way. We are at CDC hopeful that we will have vaccine viruses ready to send to manufacturers at the end of may and we're working to speed up the process as fast as possible. As evidenced by recent state and city reports, H1N1 activity is likely to occur in different places at different times. We expect that this may continue over the summer. We're not quite sure what will happen in the fall, but we are being prepared for there to be an increase in the number of H1N1 cases later in the year. At this point, I'll open up for questions. Laura, we're ready for questions. Complete transcript: www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090520.htm Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/3965/Indiana-is-the-6th-State-with-North-American-Flu http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/3965/Indiana-is-the-6th-State-with-North-American-Flu A student from Notre Dame University became Indiana's first (and hopefully only) case of North American Influenza A, and one of 64 incidences nationwide.  As a fellow university in Indiana, IUPUI is leaning forward and ensuring that plans are in place to protect all members of the IUPUI community if the North American flu virus (formerly called swine flu) outbreak becomes a pandemic.  More information is included in the JagNews special edition that was distributed via e-mail today.  Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/3962/Swine-Flu-Update-Monday-April-27-800-PM http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/3962/Swine-Flu-Update-Monday-April-27-800-PM The staff of IUPUI and Indiana University Bloomington are monitoring the swine flu situation and making preparations in case this strain turns into a pandemic.  This strain of H1N1 virus is novel and contains two genes that have never been seen in swine flu viruses in North America.  In the U.S., all of the cases have not involved contact with pigs; they have all been human-to-human transmission.  Some of the U.S. cases involved recent travel to Mexico.  There are no confirmed cases in Indiana.  Although there are many reported/suspected cases worldwide, Mexico has 26 confirmed cases with the same virus (seven deaths); Canada has six confirmed cases (no deaths); and Spain has one confirmed case (no deaths).  Late this afternoon, the World Health Organization raised the global pandemic alert level from phase 3 to phase 4 (which means that there is verified human-to-human transmission of an influenza virus that is able to cause "community-level outbreaks"). Remember to wash your hands often and take other general precautions to avoid the flu.  If you experience flu-like symptoms, visit Health Services or your family physician, and stay home from work and school.  Help keep IUPUI healthy!   Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/3958/Swine-Flu-Status-and-What-You-Can-Do http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/3958/Swine-Flu-Status-and-What-You-Can-Do Sunday 4/26/09, 8:00 PM:  The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Alert Level to 3 due to the swine/bird/human flu virus (version of H1N1) that has been found in California, Texas, and Mexico.  There have been 20 illnesses in the U.S. in five states (CA, TX, NY, OH and KS) with zero fatalities, but Mexico has had 1,300 illnesses and 81 fatalities.  California has activated its Joint Emergency Operations Center and Mexico City has closed schools (K to post-secondary) and cancelled mass gatherings. The WHO Pandemic Alert scale is from 1 to 6, so we are at the midpoint on the scale.  This virus appears to respond to newer antiviral medications but is unaffected by the current vaccine. Note that this flu is NOT a pandemic yet. The federal government has declared a “public health emergency” to allow additional federal resources and regulations to be put into place. IUPUI is monitoring the situation and coordinating with IU Bloomington, the Marion County Health Department, and the Indiana State Department of Health. Although no cases of this swine flu (a version of H1N1) have been found in Indiana, the CDC recommends that people should take everyday preventive actions.  These include washing hands frequently, staying home when you are sick, and avoiding close contact. If you experience flu symptoms, and are on campus, please visit the IUPUI Health Services (http://health.iupui.edu/index.html).  If you are at home, please visit your regular physician. For additional information, see: World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html Federal: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ IU Bloomington: http://www.iub.edu/~prepare/flu.shtml State: http://www.in.gov/isdh/23459.htm   Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/3955/No-Guns-on-Campus http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/news/3955/No-Guns-on-Campus This week is the Empty Holster Protest that is being promoted by the Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (SCCC).  The SCCC is an organization that believes student should be permitted to carry concealed weapons on campus. Last week, 20/20 on ABC did a special segment on “If I Only Had a Gun” and the IUPUI Dean of Students Office, the IUPUI Police, and IUPUI Emergency Preparedness want to share two of the clips from this broadcast with you.  The videos highlight why allowing anyone other than law enforcement personnel to have weapons on campus is a terrible decision.  They are simulations done in a classroom at Muhlenberg College and they are very powerful. When you have about fifteen minutes in the next few days, please click on the links below. http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7312540 http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7312687 While IUPUI is supportive of the students’ rights to express themselves, the University does not support or endorse the views of the SCCC or the students that are participating in the Empty Holster Protest. A safe and secure environment is a fundamental prerequisite for fulfilling the University mission of teaching, research, and public service.  The University is committed to maintaining a workplace that is free of violence.  This obligation includes eliminating recognized hazards from campus communities that contribute to violence or serious harm.  The decision to prohibit weapons (except in the hands of trained law enforcement personnel) on campus makes the IUPUI community a safer place.   Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400