Dental School Resident Recovering from ‘Probable’ Swine Flu

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 3, 2009

Dental School Resident Recovering from ‘Probable’ Swine Flu
Orthodontic clinic closed through May 8

(Boston) – A resident at Boston University’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine has been identified by Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) authorities as having a probable case of swine flu, also known as H1N1. The resident, who is recovering, felt sick on April 28 and was tested for the swine flu virus at a Boston-area hospital. Those tests have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for a definite identification.

Dr. David McBride, director of Student Health Services at Boston University, says that since April 27, the beginning of the resident’s potentially contagious period, the resident is believed to have had contact with 12 patients and 15 residents. McBride says the University has reached out to all 12 patients and spoken to 10, advising them of symptoms to watch for. None of the patients report any symptoms of flu. The University has also reached out via email and phone to the 15 residents who may have been exposed to the virus, and reached 14. McBride says one resident reports a sore throat, and one has a cough. Because both symptoms could indicate a flu infection, says McBride, the BPHC has requested that the Post-Doctoral Orthodontic Clinic where the resident worked, located on the first floor at 100 East Newton Street, remain closed until May 8. The BPHC also asks that all faculty, staff and residents who work at the Post-Doctoral Orthodontic Clinic remain in their homes until that date. McBride says the University will comply with all BPHC requests, and is working closely with the commission on appropriate and prudent further responses.

Jeffrey Hutter, Dean of the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, says the possibility of patient exposure to the virus is limited to a confined area dedicated to post-doctoral orthodontic patient treatment on the first floor of the dental school building located at 100 East Newton Street.

The dental school post-orthodontic clinic is located on the Boston University Medical Campus, almost two miles from the Charles River Campus. All activities on the Charles River Campus will proceed as scheduled.

McBride says Student Health Services is advising all members of the Boston University community to remain home if they feel ill. In addition, all should practice good hygiene, including washing hands often with soap and water (alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective), covering nose and mouth when coughing. They should avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth, and avoid close contact with sick people.

The infected resident, who reportedly is feeling much better, has been at home since April 30. The resident has not traveled to Mexico. The source of the possible infection is unknown.

Last week, the Mexican government closed all schools and universities, including a BU study-abroad program in Guadalajara. The University has encouraged all students in that engineering program to return to their homes, rather than to the University. McBride says the University has activated a longstanding special team trained to respond to pandemics and other emergency situations. That team is coordinating actions with public health authorities and on-campus groups.

Further information can be obtained by calling 617/638-4700 or emailing H1N1info@bu.edu.

To read the full BU Today article, click here.

The mission of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine is to provide excellent education to dental professionals throughout their careers; to shape the future of dental medicine and dental education through research; to offer excellent health care services to the community; to participate in community activities; and to foster a respectful and supportive environment.

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Contact:

Mary Becotte, Director of Communications

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine

617/638-5147, becottem@bu.edu

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—

Mary Becotte, Director of Communications

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine

617/638-5147, becottem@bu.edu

Dental School Resident Recovering from ‘Probable’ Swine Flu

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