H1N1 strikes early on U.S. campuses

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By Heather Travis
Thursday, September 10, 2009
All the pandemic planning during the summer months may soon be put to the test as thousands of students return to The University of Western Ontario campus.
 
Today is the first day of classes for most, but even before students set foot on campus they were encouraged to come armed with hand sanitizer and review pandemic prevention strategies for warding off the H1N1 influenza virus.  
 
With many universities in the United States beginning the new academic year several weeks earlier than in Canada, the reality of the pandemic is becoming clearer.  
 
Washington State University is reporting more than 2,000 students sickened by the H1N1 virus, a number that is starting to taper off.  
 
University of Kansas Director of University Relations Todd Cohen says reports of cases started circulating even before classes began on Aug. 20.
 
“We are the canary in the swine flu cellar,” says Cohen.  
 
Kansas has one of the earliest start dates among U.S. universities, which may explain the school’s increased profile. Many universities are looking to Kansas as an example of what may happen at their institutions.  
 
“It ramped up very quickly as soon as school started,” says Cohen.
 
About a week after classes started, the number of cases of people with flu-like symptoms (assumed to be H1N1) peaked at about 313. The university is currently reporting 104 cases. Overall the incidents were mild, lasting for three to five days.
 
Health officials expect the virus to return in a mutated or stronger version in the fall.
 
The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued post-secondary school guidelines and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is expected to release similar guidelines this week.
 
At Western, the summer months were used to re-evaluate the university’s pandemic plan.  
 
Shelagh Bantock, Clinical Director of Western's Health Services, says the university sees the virus as a “very real” threat.
 
“It’s the predominant strain right now, even above seasonal flu. If you are getting the flu, it’s probably H1N1,” she says.  
 
Western will host seasonal vaccine clinics in October, however Bantock says a H1N1 vaccine should be available by November. The Middlesex-London Health Unit expects to run vaccination clinics on campus for which one initial shot will be given and a booster shot will be required later in the season.  
 
Jane O’Brien, Associate Vice-President (Human Resources), says the university is preparing for an outbreak, particularly due to the fact most of the people affected by the virus are of the same age demographic as Western serves.  
 
“There are a number of units and faculties across the organization that have been planning for continuity of the operations in the event that we do see a spike increase with regards to the flu this fall and winter,” she says.
 
The university has adopted a ‘three-deep’ plan to ensure essential services continue in the event of a pandemic. Faculties and support units are developing a Continuity of Operations Plan, using a software program from the University of California, Berkeley, that has backups and contingency plans in place in the event of a one-third workforce reduction.  
 
“We will be looking to have discussions with employee groups on how we will be monitoring attendance and absenteeism,” adds O’Brien.  
 
On campus there are 2,700 shared work keyboards in libraries and computer labs and even greater numbers within departments and units. The university recommends anyone using shared work stations carry alcohol-based sanitizer.  
 
Even before students unpacked their bags in residences they were given information about how to respond to an H1N1 pandemic.  
 
Susan Grindrod, Associate Vice-President, Housing & Ancillary Services, says information was distributed to students during the summer and when they moved in. Students were asked upon arrival whether they could go home temporarily if they become ill.  
 
Residence staff are prepared to support those unable to go home. However, Grindrod says with the residences at capacity, “we are not in the position to provide a quarantine unit.”  
 
Residences have stockpiled about 500 disposable thermometers and a supply of Advil and hand sanitizer.  
 
“At the end of the day we have a whole lot of students all together, you can’t do much about that. Residences are designed on purpose to be high-density living,” she says, adding students are encouraged to take responsibility for protecting themselves.  
 
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to remain diligent in practicing proper hand washing, use of hand sanitizers with a minimum of 70 per cent alcohol base, washing surfaces, and covering the mouth and nose area when sneezing.  
 
Avoid contact with those who are sick and stay home if you experience symptoms, such as headaches, fever, muscle aches, coughing, sneezing or general flu-like symptoms. Those living alone should create a buddy system to make sure there is someone checking in on them. Make sure to have a plan in place in case you or a family member becomes sick.
 
Western has a microsite dedicated to the H1N1 influenza to which updates will be posted (http://communications.uwo.ca/influenza-microsite/), as well as on the Daily News Service on the Western home page at www.uwo.ca.
     
 

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