Swine Flu ( H1N1) Update

More on H1N1 flu

Health Alert Home Page

H1N1 Update Memo of 9/18/09

Attending Classes During Flu Season Memo of 9/17/09

H1N1 (Swine) Influenza Preparedness Memo of 9/16/09

H1N1 (Swine) Influenza Preparedness Memo of 8/31/09

Absenteeism Tracking for Staff and Faculty

Preparedness for Wellesley Faculty


Flu FAQs for Wellesley community

Centers for Disease Control info

Swine Flu Info from U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

Mass. Dept. of Public Health Updates

Wellesley College Health Alerts Archive 2008-2009

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What you can do to stay healthy

wash handsWash your hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your elbow instead of into your hands

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people

• If you’re sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them

Seek medical attention if you have or develop sudden onset of symptoms such as:

• Fever (temp >100.5)

• Chills

• Severe body aches

• Runny nose

• Sore throat

Students should contact the Health Service at x2810 for guidance about symptoms. Faculty and staff should contact their individual health care providers.

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Key contacts at Wellesley

Health Service: 781-283-2810

Employee Absentee Tracking: 781-283-3474

Police Department:
781-283-2121 (general information)
781-283-5555 (emergency)

For parents and students:
Dean of Students: 781-283-2322


International Student Advisor:
781-283-2083

Public Affairs: 781-283-2373

For parents concerned about students studying abroad:
International Studies
: 781-283-2320

To: Members of the Wellesley College Community

From: Wellesley College Pandemic Preparedness Team

Date: September 25, 2009

Re: H1N1 (Swine) Influenza

This memo serves to update the community regarding presumed H1N1 cases, implementation of new housing procedures, employee illness tracking, and on-campus flu shot clinics.

Presumed Cases
There continues to be a small number of presumed H1N1 among our students. 
There are a few new reports of presumed influenza-like illness from employees.
Continued Vigilance
We want to remind community members of health practices that should be followed to help our community remain as healthy as possible.

  • Practice good hand hygiene by washing hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
  • Practice respiratory etiquette by covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If there isn’t a tissue available, cough or sneeze into an elbow or shoulder, not into hands. Avoid touching eyes, the nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.

Updated Housing Plan Beginning September 28, 2009

  • Ill students who are able to travel by car to a home off-campus for the duration of their illness may do so.
  • An ill student living in a single remains in her room.
  • In most cases, an ill student living in the Quint and Tower Complexes with a roommate(s) who has not had a presumed case, will be relocated to a space designated for students experiencing H1N1 symptoms (which will have separate bathrooms).  This applies to triples and suites.
  • For the residence halls on the East Side, healthy roommates of ill students will be relocated.

Employee Call Log:  781-283-3474
In partnership with the Department of Public Health, the Wellesley College’s Pandemic Preparedness Team is tracking absenteeism to manage the normal operations of the college as well as to determine the extent of flu-like illness.

Managers have been asked to report, in very general terms, all absences related to illness to 781-283-3474.

Employees with flu-like illness should stay home at least 24 hours after fever has fallen below 100 F or 38 C without the aid of fever reducing medication.

Vaccine
We hope to soon confirm the dates for on-campus seasonal flu vaccination clinics for students.

All members of the college community are encouraged to get the seasonal flu vaccine unless otherwise directed by their health care provider.  Community members with presumed cases of H1N1 who have recovered from their illness are encouraged to get the seasonal flu vaccine.  The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine are different.  Vaccine for H1N1 should be available mid to late October.  The college will follow the CDC guidelines regarding distribution of this vaccine. 

Seasonal Flu Clinics for Faculty, Administrative, and Union Employees

When:                         Friday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
                                    Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where:                         Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, Room 104

HPHC Members:         Members who show their HPHC card will receive the flu shot without charge.

Non-HPHC Members:  Flu shots will cost $25, payable by cash or check payable to "Maxim."