TO: Caltech Community

SUBJECT: Caltech SARS Update

There are currently no SARS cases or suspected cases of SARS at Caltech.

Over the next few months international guests and new Caltech community

Members will arrive on campus for graduation and the start of the new

academic year. A time of celebration and welcome also becomes an

opportunity to ensure the well being of the entire community by updating SARS prevention information.

Caltech is following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in its development of prevention and response efforts to SARS. It is important to note that, at this time, the CDC does not recommend canceling or postponing classes, meetings, or other gatherings that will include persons traveling to the United States from areas with SARS. In addition, the CDC is not recommending quarantine of persons returning from areas with SARS.

A comprehensive response plan for any suspected cases of SARS on campus has been developed. Just as important is Caltech's plan to prevent cases of SARS from occurring on campus. Each Caltech community member has a role in preventing the spread of SARS by being informed of, and abiding by, the Institute's prevention and response plan.

The response to the threat of SARS at Caltech is based on CDC guidelines which emphasize:

Good hygiene, including covering your mouth and nose if coughing or

sneezing, and frequent hand washing.

Self monitoring of health for symptoms if you have traveled to

countries with a concentration of SARS cases or been exposed to

someone with SARS.

Immediately limiting contact with other individuals if symptoms develop.

Quick evaluation and treatment by calling your health care provider

at the first signs of SARS related symptoms. Students should call the

Health Center at (626) 395-6393. Staff and faculty should call their

primary health care providers. Guests should call the Huntington

Hospital at its Emergency Room (626) 397-5111.

We will continue to update you on SARS and the Institute's response.

Sincerely,

Stuart Miller, M.D.

Medical Director, Caltech Student Health Services

Caltech Guidelines for the Prevention and Response to SARS

As the CDC states:

"SARS is an infectious illness that appears to spread primarily by close person-to-person contact, such as in situations in which persons have cared for, lived with, or had direct contact with respiratory secretions and/or body fluids of a person known to be a suspect SARS case. Potential ways in which infections can be transmitted by close contact include touching the skin of other persons or objects that become contaminated with infectious droplets and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth."

Good hygiene is an essential feature of any SARS prevention plan. Covering your mouth and nose if you sneeze or cough does limit the spread of SARS. Careful and frequent hand washing especially if someone has coughed or sneezed near you is also a highly effective approach to limiting the spread of SARS and many common illnesses such as a cold or flu. Cleaning your hands often using either soap and water or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizers removes potentially infectious materials from your skin and helps prevent disease transmission.

If you are hosting or responsible for guests, new students or faculty from countries with a concentration of SARS cases (for a list of current countries http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel.htm), please be sure they are familiar with the Institute's policies related to SARS. You can forward this email to all returning or new students, staff, faculty and guests. This document outlines our approach to SARS prevention and is based on the CDC's

SARS related policies including:

Interim Guidance for Institutions or Organizations

Hosting Persons Arriving in the United States from

Areas with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

May 14, 2003, 12:00 PM ET

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/hostingarrivals.htm

Arriving individuals should also be aware of basic information about SARS provided by the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel.htm .

Individuals traveling to Caltech from countries with concentrations of SARS, including current faculty/staff/students who are returning from travel and all new students, faculty, staff or guests:

Travel should be postponed if you are experiencing any of the following

symptoms:

Fever greater than 100.4°F [>38.0°C].

Headache

An overall feeling of discomfort and body aches.

Mild respiratory symptoms.

A dry cough and trouble breathing.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should only begin your travel after you have seen a health care professional and have been symptom free for a minimum of 10 days.

If you have not experienced any symptoms at the time of your departure,

monitor your health for 10 days from the time of your arrival at Caltech.

Persons returning from areas with SARS should notify their healthcare

provider immediately if fever OR respiratory symptoms develops within 10 days after departure.

Do not go to a physician's office or emergency room without calling first. Describe your symptoms and your recent travel to the healthcare provider over the phone. They will inform you as to what you are to do next.

If you are a student call the Caltech Student Health Center at, 626) 395-6393, If you develop SARS related symptoms.

If you are faculty or staff, call your primary health care providers.

Guests should call the Huntington Hospital at (626) 397-5111.

Caltech employees and students:

Individuals, who in the last 10 days have traveled to a known SARS area, or have had close contact with a co-worker or family member with suspected or probable SARS, could be at increased risk of developing SARS and should be vigilant for the development of fever (greater than 100.4° F) or respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough or difficulty breathing). If these symptoms develop you should not go to work, classes, or other public areas but should seek evaluation by a health-care provider and immediately limit your contact with other individuals; be sure to contact your health-care provider beforehand

to let them know you may have been exposed to SARS so arrangements can be made, as necessary, to prevent transmission to others in the healthcare setting.

Students should call the Health Center at (626) 395-6393.

Staff and faculty should call their health care provider.

Guests should call the Huntington Hospital at (626) 397-5111.

For more information:

Guidelines for Persons in the Workplace Environment

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/