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The Spectator
Collegiate H1N1 Flu Update
October 30, 2009What the experts say...
According to the latest Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Learning, the CDC recommends that, "faculty, students, and staff with flu-like illness should stay in their home, dormitory, or residence hall until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications."
The American College Health Association has been tracking the rate of ILI reported on a voluntary basis at 250 college campuses across the country. 97 percent of these colleges reported new cases this week, with an unexpected resurgence of cases in regions that had previously seen the number of new cases decline. Thankfully, the relatively small number of hospitalizations and complete absense of deaths in the past week suggest that the disease is still mild.
Bates College: Hardest Hit NESCAC
According to Bates College Director of Communications and Media Relations Bryan McNulty, Bates has vaccinated 999 students against H1N1 in three separate clinics since Oct. 10. The first case of H1N1 was confirmed on Bates' campus on Oct. 8, with around 265 students reporting Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) since the start of the year. McNulty said, "We were fortunate that the vaccine came in to the state just as we had our first confirmed cases." However, at this time, Bowdoin College, Colby College and the University of Maine still have not received the H1N1 vaccine. Tim Foster, dean of Student Affairs at Bowdoin College, said that he recognizes the need for Bates to receive the vaccine after its recent outbreak, even though Bowdoin is still waiting to vaccinate students on its campus after a similar outbreak a few weeks ago.- Amanda Jordan '10
Vaccine Administered Locally
Colgate University received 250 doses of the H1N1 vaccine and have vaccinated those members of the campus at highest risk, including emergency/medical personnel, those with significant health problems, those caring for infants, and pregnant women. The next to receive the vaccine, in a clinic on Nov. 1, will be those with health problems such as diabetes, cancers, GI problems, heart or kidney problems, arthritis, asthma, and any immune deficiencies.
When the paper went to press, our staff was unable to obtain accurate information regarding the extent of the H1N1 infection on the Hamilton campus. Check back next week for updates and continue to practice good hygiene and self-isolation when presenting flu-like symptoms.