FROM: Thomas N. Hollins, Jr., Ed.D.,   Associate Vice President of Student Affairs

DATE: September 11, 2009

H1N1 Update

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued information for the 2009 – 2010 academic year related to the potential spread of the H1N1 virus. This new guidance covers not only the 2009 H1N1, but the spread of any flu-like symptoms. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the college community the most current information regarding H1N1 and how each person within the community can help to prevent the spread of the influenza during this academic year. The College will continuously monitor activity within the community and advise you as needed.

Some Facts about H1N1 and Influenza

• H1N1 (formerly known as “swine flu”) was detected in April 2009, and later determined to be a pandemic, which means that this virus is expected to spread in very large numbers throughout the world.
• The H1N1 virus has similar symptoms to regular flu which include fever (over 100), chills and cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, diarrhea, and / or vomiting.
•  The virus can be spread through kissing, sharing a drink or personal items, coughing, sneezing. Generally speaking exposure to someone or something that has been exposed to the virus, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth will infect you with the virus.
• Incubation can take 1-7 days, and a person is considered contagious (able to spread the virus) up to 24 hours before symptoms start through an average of up to 7 days after symptoms begin.
• Spreading of the virus is likely greater while a person has a fever.
• H1N1 and the flu can be mild to severe with symptoms requiring medical attention or resulting in death. 

 What Can You Do to Help Prevent the Spread of the Virus?

To help prevent the spread of the H1N1, the following actions should be taken:

• Stay away from sick people.
• Clean hands frequently with soap and (warm/hot) water. Purchase and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers throughout the day to kill any germs you may come in contact with throughout the day
• Keep hands away from nose, mouth, or eyes
• Clean / decontaminate things in your space periodically
• Obtain both flu and H1N1 vaccines upon availability
• If you have flu-like symptoms stay home. In fact it is strongly encouraged that infected individuals stay home for at least 24 hours after their temperature drops below 100 without the assistance of fever-reducing medicines – unless they are going to the doctor for treatment.

If You are Experiencing Flu-Like Symptoms or are Diagnosed with Influenza

If you are sick, it is important that you follow these steps in order to help us manage the environment.

• Contact your doctor.
• Infected students should contact their faculty members to inform them of their illness. Faculty members will work with you in order to ensure that you continue participation in class. Do not come to class sick. You can email or call your instructor through the contact information on their class syllabus.
• Infected faculty and staff should notify your immediate supervisor of your illness so that they can employ the proper actions to ensure continuity of service.
• You may want to notify close contacts if you are infected and may have exposed these individuals to the virus during your contagious period. Close contacts are considered as individuals within your household, roommates, significant others, lab partners, office mates, and potentially close school contacts.

Be prepared to answer some general questions from your instructor or supervisor related to your illness. This is for tracking purposes. The College will work to ensure confidentiality as provided to students and faculty members through the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). However state agencies may require that we report incidents of illness (for data tracking purposes).

For more information on H1N1 or influenza, go to one of the following links:

Thank you for your attention to this matter.