In an e-mail, David Hopka, assistant vice president of Safety and Risk Management, noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) had raised its flu warning to its highest level, or a Phase 6 alert, declaring a global influenza epidemic. The designation signifies only that the virus is circulating widely in the U.S. and globally -- not that the severity of illness as a result of the virus is increasing, he wrote.

Both Ohio University and the Athens community have remained free of any confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza A and have used this opportunity to complete response planning in cooperation with county health officials, he added.

Hopka wrote that if faculty, staff or students have a concern about exposure or experience flu-like symptoms -- including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue -- they should see a medical provider immediately. For information on Ohio University's Student Health Service (SHS) hours, visit www.ohio.edu/hudson/shs/.

To read the full memo, visit www.ohio.edu/ehs/news/email061109.htm.