Be Vigilant with Hand Washing and Sneeze Etiquette While Awaiting H1N1 Vaccine, College Officials Urge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 26, 2009 

RICHMOND, Ind. — While only 18 cases of Type A influenza have been confirmed on the Earlham College campus to date, the College’s Health Services suspects that the total number of cases may be larger than that.

“We’re primarily seeing students,” remarks Mary Ann Stienbarger, director of health services. “We don’t provide primary care for faculty and staff and we have heard anecdotal evidence that several members of the College community have the flu.”

Any member of the Earlham community may log into the College’s portal, theheart, to report flu symptoms to Health Services.

Nationwide Shortage of Vaccine
Now that the outbreak of novel A H1N1 influenza has reached 46 states, President Obama has declared the virus a national emergency, but that does not mean that communities are any closer to having vaccine available.

Because the vaccine is growing slower than expected, only 11 million doses have been distributed nationwide instead of the 120 million that federal health officials expected to have by now.

Vaccine Given to High Risk Groups Only
Because of the shortage, the vaccine is only being given to high-risk groups such as health care workers, pregnant women, children six months to four years of age, and infant care givers. Originally, the Centers for Disease Control had recommended the vaccine for everyone under 25. 

“Wayne County will receive their vaccine from the state and it will probably come in small batches. Earlham will offer the vaccine first to students whom we know have underlying health issues that would put them at risk for H1N1,” says Stienbarger, “but it is up to the individual student to take advantage of the vaccine when we receive it.”

When the vaccine is made available in Wayne County for members of the Earlham community, we will notify our campus and our greater community through our Web site's homepage news player, our online Press Room, via e-mail alerts and releases to the student and local press. 

Practicing Personal Responsibility is Key to Good Health 
Stienbarger urges students, faculty, staff and community members to be vigilant in promoting good health and hygiene, and stresses the importance of practicing good cough and sneeze etiquette by coughing or sneezing into a tissue (or if a tissue is unavailable, to cover your mouth with your upper arm), washing hands often with soap and warm water, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water is not available, and staying home except to see a physician when you have flu-like symptoms. 

“The most important thing that we can do is exercise personal responsibility,” says Stienbarger. “Our housekeeping staff is increasing the frequency of disinfecting high touch areas, but we cannot rely on that to stay healthy. Eat right, get enough sleep, don’t share utensils, and don’t drink out of the same cup.”

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Taking a Proactive Stand on the Flu

“The College is taking a very proactive approach to the flu this year,” says Provost Nelson Bingham who convenes the College’s Emergency Readiness and Response Planning (ERRP) committee. "Flu on campus is a foregone conclusion, but because of the worldwide outbreak of H1N1, which is spread most often when large groups of people live and work in close proximity, we want to minimize exposure as much as possible."

The College continues to monitor and implement "best practices" regarding flu prevention as determined by federal, state and local agencies.

"The Wayne County Health Department has been informed of and involved with our planning since the beginning," says Stienbarger. "We're grateful to have such a close working relationship with them."

No Plans to Cancel Classes, Programs
As to the question that may be foremost on the minds of students, Bingham says, "Classes will continue, as will public gatherings and events, and off-campus study programs."

However, he cautions students and faculty who feel the onset of flu-like symptoms not to come to class. "See a medical practitioner first," he says. "We want as many members of the Earlham community as possible to stay healthy."

Updates Found Online
Updates on influenza at Earlham may not always be broadcast but can always be found on our Web site.  Bookmark pressroom.earlham.edu.

For the most comprehensive information about the novel influenza A (H1N1) and seasonal influenza, please read H1N1 news from flu.gov or visit these Web sites:

The Centers for Disease Control
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

The Department of Health and Human Services
www.flu.gov

for specific information on vaccines:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

for CDC guidance for higher education:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/guidelines_colleges.htm

for information on the seasonal flu:
www.cdc.gov/flu

-EC-

Previous H1N1 Statements issued by Earlham College (Please note that these are historical documents. Information may no longer be accurate.):

http://pressroom.earlham.edu/articles/2009/08/colleges-response-h1n1-influenza

http://pressroom.earlham.edu/articles/2009/04/earlham-responds-h1n1-flu-outbreak-college-follows-cdc-guidelines