To Rikkyo Students, Faculty and Staff

From April 30, Mexico, USA, Canada, Spain, England, Israel, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Germany, Austria, have all reported cases of swine flu (H1N1) that can be transferred from person to person. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alert level from Phase 4, where the disease has transferred from animal to human and from person to person within regions to Phase 5, where sustained human to human transmission has crossed national boundaries and a wide spread pandemic is possible. For detailed information and frequent updates see the WHO H1N1 website .

Developments in the situation and any possible emergency measures (such as campus closure or class cancellation) at Rikkyo University will be reported on the University Homepage.
Please check this webpage every day. (Note that announcements will appear sooner in Japanese)

Currently, travel restrictions to other countries have not been imposed, but if you are planning a trip, please consider carefully whether it is necessary, and monitor the situation in that country. As for travel to an affected country, please consider whether cancellation may be prudent. If travel is necessary, please consult the WHO page above, as well as other resources listed below. In any case, please observe the following measures to protect against infection:

During travel:
1. Wear a mask to prevent infection through coughing or sneezing.
2. Gargle and wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
3. Consulting a doctor in the place where you are visiting on appearance of possible symptoms of influenza such as cough, fever (over 38 degrees), strong fatigue, muscle or joint pain, stomachache, nausea, and diarrhea.

Upon return to Japan at the airport or to your home
1. If flu-like symptoms arise such as fever (over 38 degrees), cough, strong fatigue, muscle pain, stomachache or diarrhea, please stop and consult at the airport Quarantine Office on your return to Japan.
2. If flu-like symptoms arise after your return to your home, consult a local health center by telephone and inform them of countries you have visited.
3. In any case of the above (1) and (2), with any questions please contact Rikkyo University Health Care Room (03-3985-2651), or Niiza Campus Health Care Room (048-471-6680).
4. Wear a mask for about ten days after your return to Japan even if you do not have any above symptoms.

Further information is available from these websites:
◇ Japanese Health Ministry

◇ Ministry of Foreign Affairs home page (in Japanese)

◇ Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, National Center of Infectious Diseases Information

Overseas Pages
◇WHO (World Health Organization) information about H1N1 influenza

◇Centers for Disease Control and Prevention H1N1 Flu page