Posted 04/30/2009
Suspected Swine Flu at Amherst College Being Tested by CDC
April 30, 2009 –9:00 PM
A number of students at Amherst College have been tested for influenza after demonstrating the symptoms
associated with the disease. Two of the test results have been further tested by the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health (MDPH). Those samples have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for definitive
testing for swine flu. The Town of Amherst has been advised by MDPH that the CDC test results are expected
by Saturday, May 2, 2009.
Epi Bodhi, Director of Public Health cautioned, “This development is cause for concern, but not for alarm. Not
all flu symptoms are the result of swine flu. However, I would recommend that precautions be taken.”
Those precautions are as follows:
• Avoid hugging, holding, kissing or shaking hands with anyone who has a cold or the flu.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes.
• Clean items that are touched often such as telephones and door handles.
• If you get sick, stay home and avoid contact with others.
• Severe symptoms should prompt you to contact your health care provider.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing.
For information, please see the Fact Sheet on the Town of Amherst web site www.amherstma.gov or
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) web site at www.mass.gov/dph/flu or the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu. Further, general information on this topic may be
obtained by calling the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at 211.
