Shenandoah University Plans for H1N1 Influenza

Posted September 09, 2009:

UPDATED: 11-03-09 | The university's administration is aware of the potential of an influenza outbreak on campus and has taken necessary steps to plan for everything from a few localized instances to a campus-wide outbreak.

 UPDATES |  11-03-09 

At Shenandoah University, there have been 17 confirmed or probable cases since Sept. 1, 2009, according to Ron Stickley, the director of the Wilkins Wellness Center. “All students have recovered after a few days of rest,”he said.

“The majority of illnesses seen at the Wilkins Wellness Center are upper respiratory infections —sinusitis, sinus pain, allergies, sinus congestion —and gastrointestinal infections, which include vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain,”Stickley said.

The Wilkins Wellness Center continues to follow up with students who have confirmed or probable cases of influenza, Stickley added.

He encourages individuals to follow proper hygiene procedures such as such as covering the nose and mouth with a sleeve when sneezing or coughing, washing hands often with soap and water, avoiding close contact with sick people and staying if you are sick until you are 24 hours fever-free without fever-reducing medicines.

The novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that first caused illness in Mexico and United States in March and April 2009, according to the CDC, which reports the H1N1 infection causes a range of flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, many people also have reported nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

OVERVIEW

With the start of the fall semester at Shenandoah University and the likelihood of an outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus (also known as the swine flu), university administrators, health-care providers and crisis management teams are making preparations to address the disease and its potential affect on the campus.

Shenandoah University has a residential population of 905 students, which puts them in close contact with each other in residence halls and common areas. There are 2,700 commuter students and about 800 employees (faculty and staff), all of whom are coming to campus from homes where others could be sick with contagious illnesses.
The university has in place emergency plans to address wide-ranging campus issues and health concerns. Its emergency response teams receive regular input from the local health department, state and Federal agencies.

As the country moves into the traditional flu season, colleges and universities have been advised to respond to the advice of the local health departments. Lord Fairfax Health Department, which includes Winchester, Va., has a H1N1 coordinator on staff who will provide guidance to SU health professionals in the event of an outbreak. As new information becomes available, it will be distributed to Shenandoah by the Virginia Department of Health.

Updated information on the flu can be located at www.vdh.state.va.us or Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

 H1N1 pandemic flu is widespread throughout the world. Fortunately, VDH and the CDC report the vast majority of cases are mild and, at this point, the H1N1 virus appears no more severe than the seasonal flu. This strain does seem to be more frequent in children and young adults, because those who are younger than 50 years of age have not yet had contact with a similar type of this virus. The CDC cautions people at high risk for flu complications who become ill with flu-like illnesses should speak with their health-care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment can prevent hospitalizations and death.

PREVENTION

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists "stay informed" at the top of its "What You Can Do to Stay Healthy" list. The CDC Web site is updated regularly as information becomes available. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Therefore:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve when you sneeze or cough; that is, sneeze and cough into your elbow.
  • Throw away tissues immediately after using them.Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based cleaner.
  • After you've dried your hands with a paper towel in a public restroom, use the paper towel to open the bathroom door to avoid touching the knob with your clean hands. 
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Keep pens and pencils out of your mouth.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Stay home and away from work, school or other public activities if you are sick.
  • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
  • Call (800) CDC-INFO for more information.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS     

The CDC recommends individuals with flu symptoms - fever, cough, sneezing, chills, aches and/or vomiting or diarrhea - stay home. The symptoms of the H1N1 influenza virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu, including:

  • fever
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • runny or stuffy nose
  • body aches
  • headache
  • chills
  • fatigue

A significant number of people who have had this virus also reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death have occurred as a result of this virus. Shenandoah students and employees who have these symptoms, should immediately call the Wilkins Wellness Center at 540-665-4530.

SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY'S H1N1 PLAN (as of October 2009)

In Case of a Localized Outbreak of H1N1:

  • Infected individuals are encouraged to remain isolated if flu symptoms are present. Please notify the Wilkins Wellness Center of your symptoms. (540-665-4530)
  • Faculty members are encouraged to be flexible with absences due to flu-like symptoms and should allow students to make up missed work or keep up with assignments through online means.

In Case of a Significant, Campus-wide Outbreak of H1N1:

In the event the campus needs to be closed for an extended period of time because of declared pandemic or other event, Shenandoah University will initiate a plan to meet the needs of all the community members.

  • The president will initiate the Crisis Management Team, and a decision will be made following the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control.
  • Closure of the university will be announced by the senior vice president & vice president of academic affairs through campus-wide e-mail, telephone, Blackboard announcement and the Shenandoah University Web page. (www.su.edu)
  • Updated and regular communications will be sent by the senior vice president & vice president of academic affairs through campus e-mail, Blackboard announcements and Shenandoah University Web page.
  • The Office of Academic Affairs will first ensure Shenandoah students are safe and education programs can be delivered.
  • In the event of the closure of the university, students are required to check in with their instructors through the university e-mail system and Blackboard portal for regular updates and new information.
  • Depending on the type of course and instruction method, faculty may require students to do course work through online and digital means as a replacement for face-to-face contact hours or may extend contact hours beyond the traditional semester to complete necessary face-to-face instruction.
  • These extended hours could include weekend meetings and/or contact hours beyond the traditional semester.

University administrators ask students and their families to remain flexible and understanding if a pandemic is declared, and the university is closed. In the event of a declared pandemic or other emergency, Shenandoah University will communicate such information through its Web site (http://www.su.edu/), the Blackboard portal (https://bbd.su.edu/), and the information line (540-665-4500).


 

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