News

H1N1 Virus Policy and News (Updated Jan. 26, 2010)

Vigilance and Prevention Take Center Stage

01/24/10

Campus Establishes Policies on H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu)

UPDATE: Jan. 26, 2010 — The Clinton County Health Department has generously agreed to bring H1N1 vaccines to our campus. We will have both the nasal spray and the injection form of the vaccine. The vaccine will be given to all interested persons on Monday, February 8, from 10:30am to 12:00 noon at the Campus Health Center in the basement of Bailey Hall. This will be the ONLY time it is available. No appointments are needed.  For any questions, contact:
Missy Holmes, RN, BSN
Wilmington College Nurse
PH:    937-382-6661 ext. 217

There are no longer restrictions on who may receive the free vaccine. The Center for Disease Control strongly recommends persons in the following categories receive the H1N1 vaccine:
— Pregnant women
—  Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
—  Health care and emergency medical services personnel
—  Children 6 months through 18 years of age, young adults 19 through 24 years
—  Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

Those interested in becoming vaccinated can download a vaccination form and some other H1N1 information provided by the County Health Department as .pdf files if you log onto "WC@Home" and look under the "Health Services" link at the bottom of the page under "College Resources." Bringing this already completed information to the Health Department will expedite the vaccination process.

Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (Nasal Spray Vaccine)

The Health Department also has attenuated and inactivated H1N1 vaccine, attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV–the nasal spray vaccine). The nasal spray vaccine is approved for people age 2 through 49 years of age who are not pregnant and do not have chronic health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease (including asthma), kidney or liver disease, diabetes, certain muscle or nerve disorders, or a weakened immune system. Children or adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment also should not get the nasal spray vaccine.

H1N1 Nasal Spray vs. H1N1 Flu Shot Recommendations (downloadable PDF file)

Individuals who received the seasonal nasal spray influenza vaccine (FluMist) must wait 4 weeks to receive the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine. Those who received the seasonal flu shot do not need to wait 4 weeks.

Clinic will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 3-7 p.m. The clinic will be at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, Floral Hall. Free of charge. Other clinics will be scheduled as soon as additional vaccine arrives. Notice of these clinics will be posted in the Wilmington News Journal.

This H1N1 inflenza record form  (downloadable PDF file) can be printed and filled out to expedite service.

H1N1 Virus Is to Be Taken Seriously

The Wilmington College community is asked to be vigilant and cautious in an effort to prevent the H1N1 virus from spreading to the campus.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other global health organizations are expecting widespread illness resulting from the spread of the H1N1 virus (also known as Swine Flu) during the coming flu season.

James Reynolds, vice president for academic affairs, is coordinating campus efforts for communications about the H1N1 virus to help deal with any potential issues that may arise should the campus be severely affected by the spread of the flu.

“At this time, it is appropriate for us to be proactive in preparing for the pandemic flu’s potential effect on the College,” Reynolds said, noting he will be communicating with the campus community on a regular basis and will serve as the College’s contact person should the need arise to interact with public health officials or the news media.

H1N1 and the Classroom/Work Environment

Reynolds said it is important that “we do everything we can to limit the impact and spread of the flu on the health and well-being of our community.”

Thus, students who have the flu should not come to class nor report for work should they have an on-campus work assignment. If a student informs a faculty or staff member that she/he has the flu, they are asked to send the student home.

If a student is displaying flu-like symptoms or thinks they may have the flu, it is appropriate to ask the student about observable symptoms and possibly ask the student to return home.

The symptoms to inquire about are: fever plus cough and sore throat, and possible other symptoms like runny nose, body aches, head aches, chills, fatigue, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Reynolds noted that, in most cases, the CDC is not advising the use of facemasks, with the exception of persons who are particularly at risk of contracting the flu. However, he said students/staff should be allowed to wear facemasks in these cases at their discretion.

“Facemasks should only be used by students/staff who are not ill but are trying to avoid becoming ill. Under no circumstances should anyone who is ill be allowed to justify class or work attendance through the use of a facemask,” he said, noting that facemasks have not been proven effective in preventing people who are sick from spreading the virus.

Student Class Attendance and H1N1

Reynolds said it is important for faculty to recognize and try to limit ways that class attendance policies might actually encourage students who are ill to come to class.

“Students who have contracted the flu should not return to class until 24 hours after their fevers lift (without the use of fever reducing medications such as Tylenol),” he said.

He recommends that faculty members consider the following steps. First, discuss your attendance policy in detail with your students so that they understand the importance of “saving” absences for possible illnesses. Secondly, faculty should plan for higher than usual levels of illness-related absenteeism this semester with policies or practices that do not encourage sick students to come to class.

The CDC is now strongly encouraging not to require a doctor’s note or any kind of medical documentation for student absence due to illness with the flu. Persons ill with the flu but not in a particular risk group or suffering unusually severe symptoms are being encouraged to stay home rather than visit the doctor’s office in order to avoid spreading the virus, as well as because of concerns about overload on medical infrastructure.

“A student’s self-report of flu-like symptoms should be sufficient,” he added.

Faculty/Staff Illness Absenteeism

As with students, faculty or staff members that become ill with the flu should not come to campus until 24 hours after their fever lifts. Since the possibility exists that those with the H1N1 flu could miss more than a week of class or work, it is recommended faculty members consider identifying alternative activities or guest lecturers that could be called upon in their absence. When possible, staff members should work with colleagues for ensuring that essential work is covered in the event of absences.
 

How to Reduce the Risk of Contracting the H1N1 Virus

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. The following are ways to decrease the likelihood of contracting this flu virus.


H1N1 Vaccine

Reynolds noted it is not yet clear how a vaccine or other efforts to control the virus will impact the prediction of a widespread flu pandemic. The College Clinic expects to receive the usual number of doses for normal flu shots — these have been ordered with an anticipated delivery in October. However, it is unclear whether the College will receive doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine. Priority populations have been identified to include pregnant women, infants and those with pre-existing health concerns. However, those under 22 years of age rank in the middle of the priority hierarchy.

Take Everyday Actions to Stay Healthy

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. The CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Other Steps the College Is Taking for Prevention

• Hand sanitizers are located throughout the campus.
• Computer Labs offer Clorox disinfectant wipes for keyboards, mice and desktop.
• Housekeeping staff have been wiping with increased frequency “touch surfaces” like doorknobs, sinks and other fixtures in common areas throughout the campus.
• Also, restrooms and locker rooms are being given special attention.
• The Student Dining Hall staff members are being extra vigilant with regard to the potential spread of the virus.