Update on H1N1 Virus from Dean of Students Linda Gates

Sep. 17, 2009

For More Information
Get the most up-to-date information about the H1N1 Influenza on the Student Health Center website:
www.oberlin.edu/health/

Hand Sanitizers
See full information regarding the hand sanitizers.

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Dear Parents and Guardians of Oberlin students:

I am writing to update you on information we are disseminating on campus related to the 2009 H1N1 virus (also known as swine flu or novel H1N1) and the recommendations we are making to faculty, staff, and students.

Given the spread of the 2009 H1N1 virus throughout the United States and the world, we are strongly advising the campus community to remain informed and to minimize the opportunity for infection by taking care of their health through sound personal hygiene, good nutrition, and adequate sleep. Although no one can predict with precision what the flu season will bring, medical experts believe that personal health practices can be effective in limiting the rate of infection and minimizing the severity of the virus. Likewise, medical experts monitoring this virus have continued to observe that the vast majority of cases of 2009 H1N1 in the United States have been relatively mild and that most individuals have recovered quickly without special treatment.

The World Health Organization has declared a global 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic based on the sustained spread of the illness, not its severity. As a precaution, Oberlin College administrators continue to be in touch with public health authorities for updated information and to determine the steps that are appropriate for the college community. Below is current, important 2009 H1N1-related information that is being shared with all members of our community.

We plan to follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for institutions of higher education and share with you the recommendations we are making for the Oberlin campus community:

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING GENERAL GOOD HEALTH

• Practice good hygiene.
  • We encourage regular hand washing and/or the use of hand sanitizer, which is being distributed to individuals, offices, and public spaces on campus.
• Vaccinate against common/seasonal flu.
  • We encourage faculty, staff, and students to be immunized against the common/seasonal flu virus.
  • On September 17, 2009, Student Health Services is the site of a flu clinic where students, faculty, and staff can be immunized against common/seasonal flu virus. Information about this and subsequent flu clinics will be widely disseminated online, on digital-sign monitors, and on posters throughout the campus.

RECOMMENDATIONS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO 2009 H1N1

• We recommend strongly that Oberlin College students (with no known contraindications for the vaccine) be vaccinated against 2009 H1N1.
  • The CDC has identified children, adolescents, and young adults between the ages of 6 months through 24 years among the priority groups for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. People in this age group are in close contact with each other in schools, group gatherings, and residential settings, and this highly contagious virus is easily spread through contact.
  • Others who are among the priority groups for vaccination against 2009 H1N1 are pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers of infants under 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services (EMS) workers, and people between 25 and 64 years who have chronic medical conditions.
  • The current protocol for immunization calls for one shot of vaccine, which will confer immunity within 8 to 10 days after injection. We expect the vaccine against 2009 H1N1 to be supplied by the Lorain County Health Department (LCHD) to local vaccination sites in October, and we have requested that the LCHD designate Oberlin College as a site for vaccination for Oberlin students.
  • Students who are planning to go home for fall break (October 17-25, 2009) may want to make arrangements for vaccination with their health care professional.
  • People at high risk for flu complications who become ill with flu-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible.
• Who is at high risk for complications from 2009 H1N1?
  • The American College Health Association and the CDC identify high-risk individuals as follows: A person who is at high risk for complications of 2009 H1N1 virus infection is defined as the same for seasonal influenza at this time. As more epidemiologic and clinical data become available, these risk groups might be revised:
    • Children younger than 5 years old. The risk for severe complications from seasonal influenza is highest among children younger than 2 years old.
    • Adults 65 years of age and older.
    • Persons with the following conditions
      • Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension, renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
      • Immunosupression, including that caused by medications or by HIV
      • Pregnant women
      • Persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;
      • Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.

SYMPTOMS OF 2009 H1N1 VIRUS

The CDC reports that most patients with confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 virus have experienced

• fever,
• chills,
• headache,
• upper respiratory tract symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath),
• muscle aches,
• joint aches,
• fatigue,
• vomiting,
• or diarrhea.

OBERLIN’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SYPMPTOMS OF INFLUENZA-LIKE ILLNESS (BASED ON CDC RECOMMENDATIONS)

• People who are ill with flu-like symptoms and who are not at high risk for flu complications should self-isolate, take analgesics, drink fluids, and rest.
  • Students who live close enough and are able to go home by private transportation should go home to recuperate. They should self-isolate and not attend any public gatherings or return to school until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without anti-fever medication.
  • Most of our students live too far away to go home without taking public transportation. Those individuals should self-isolate in their rooms. This means that they should not attend classes or any public gathering (dining halls, concerts, movies, lectures, etc.) until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours without anti-fever medication.
• To prevent the spread of this virus, students who are ill and have to stay in Oberlin should:
  • stay in their room and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from their roommate;
  • practice social distancing, maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from any other person;
  • practice respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes, using and disposing of tissues appropriately);
  • wear masks if they are not in a divided double or some other similar arrangement, or if they leave their room to go to the bathroom or kitchen area. Resident directors have a supply of masks. Masks should be disposed of properly (in trash cans) after use.
• Students who are ill with flu-like illnesses should contact their class dean or the Office of the Dean of Students via phone (440-775-8462) or e-mail so that their professors can be notified of their absence due to illness.
• Resident directors (RDs) and resident assistants (RAs) are encouraging students on their halls to identify a “flu buddy” who can help (via e-mail or phone) coordinate communication with staff in Residential Education and Student Health Services; arrange for meal kits prepared by Central Dining Services to be delivered to ill students; and access other resources and support as needed. (A definition of  flu buddy is in the FAQ section of this document.)
• Students should contact the Office of Student Health Services or other health care professionals when:
  • Students who have influenza-like illness and who are at high risk, or who are severely ill, should call the Office of Student Health Services at 440-775-8180 and identify themselves as a possible flu case.
    • Student health services has a flu-line with current information and recommendations.
    • Students may also consult with the Nurse Health Line at 877-924-7758, or another local health care provider.
    • Students who are studying abroad may consult with or seek treatment from the student health provider for their off-campus study program.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Will we move students to isolation areas?
There is no space on campus or in the area that would accommodate any number of students. In addition, it is very likely that the roommate of a symptomatic student has already been exposed, so moving either of the students will not provide protection from the virus. However, to minimize exposure, we recommend that ill students:

• Self-isolate
• Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other roommates
• Wear a mask (which will be dispensed by Resident Directors) if they need to leave their room to go to the bathroom or to the kitchen area
• Wash their hands, which remains a very effective way to prevent the spread of disease
• Practice respiratory etiquette, e.g., cover coughs and sneezes (into the sleeve, not the hand)
• Use and dispose of tissues in a trash can;
• Clean areas that may be contaminated (doorknobs, handrails, etc.) frequently

Will Tamiflu be prescribed either as a prophylaxis or to mitigate the seriousness of 2009 H1N1?

Student health services will prescribe Tamiflu for students who are identified as being at risk of developing complications from 2009 H1N1 virus infection. (See above.)

What is a flu buddy?

This is the description of the flu-buddy system that is being distributed in the residence halls:

H1N1 infection is causing a flu-like illness. A flu-like illness generally presents as a fever with cough and/or sore throat. At this time the CDC recommends that students with flu-like symptoms isolate themselves from others. They should go home via private car or stay in their room as much as possible until they are free of fever for 24 hours. They should not attend classes or other public gatherings.

We are asking students to find a “flu buddy.” The purpose of a flu buddy is to assist in caring for a student with flu-like illness and aide in self-isolation.

If your flu buddy becomes ill, check on them regularly via phone or e-mail. You should avoid making close contact (less than 6 feet away). If close contact is necessary, ask your flu buddy to wear a mask. You can help by getting needed supplies, medicines, or food and dropping them off at your buddy’s door. If your flu buddy is feeling worse, you could contact student health services, a resident director (RD) or the Office of Safety and Security. Please check the CDC website (www.cdc.gov) for more information on how to care for a person with flu-like symptoms and how to protect yourself from becoming ill.

People with increased risk of severe illness from flu (i.e., those whose immune system may be compromised from other health conditions or medications they are taking) should not be a flu buddy caring for an ill person. These individuals should contact student health or another medical provider if they are in close contact with a person having flu-like symptoms.

Is it safe to travel?

Yes, with some precautions. Given the geographic spread of this virus locally and throughout the United States, a history of recent travel to specific geographic locations is now considered less important in the evaluation of possible flu. Although the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has removed its travel warnings, travelers are still urged to exercise personal precautions to prevent the spread of the flu virus.

INFORMATION

For more information about 2009 H1N1, visit http:www.pandemicflu.gov

For information and updates from the CDC, visit http://www.cdc.gov

For specific recommendations to treat and prevent the spread of 2009 H1N1, visit http://www.cdc.gov/2009H1N1flu/recommendations.htm

For specific local information, visit http://www.oberlin.edu/health

Oberlin College will continue the steps we have put in place to limit the spread of this virus. Our hope is that by exercising appropriate caution, the impact of 2009 H1N1 will be minimal on this campus and in this community, and we are urging the campus community to engage in active and intentional compliance with these recommendations.

Sincerely,

Linda Gates
Dean of Students