Swine Flu ( H1N1) Update

To: Members of the Wellesley College Community

From: Wellesley College Pandemic Preparedness Team

Date: November 4, 2009

Re: Update H1N1 (Swine) and Seasonal Influenza

This memo serves as an update with regard to presumed H1N1 influenza on the Wellesley College campus, the status of H1N1 vaccine availability and distribution, seasonal influenza and the status of seasonal flu vaccine and distribution.

Presumed H1N1 Influenza
As has been widely reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of presumed H1N1 influenza cases in the U.S. rose during the month of October, with 48 states reporting widespread influenza activity. 

On the Wellesley College campus, like many campuses in New England and beyond, the Health Service has continued to receive reports of students with influenza-like illness.  Wellesley has volunteered to participate in the CDC’s influenza surveillance program, providing weekly aggregate information about influenza activity on campus to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the CDC.  As such, it remains important for students to contact the Health Service by calling 781-283-2810 to report and review symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, etc. A member of the clinical triage team can then help the student determine if she needs to come to the Health Service for additional assessment.

In addition to contacting the Health Service, students should continue to be in touch with their faculty and class dean if they are unable to attend class due to illness.  When experiencing influenza symptoms, students will continue to be asked to self-isolate in their rooms at least 24 hours after fever has fallen below 100F or 38C without the aid of fever-reducing medication.

The Wellesley College Pandemic Preparedness Team will continue to track employee absenteeism to manage the normal operation 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 by calling 781-283-3474.

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

Staff should continue to alert their supervisors or department heads if they are absent due to illness. Department heads should continue to contact x3474 to report department illness when known, particularly when illness is due to influenza.

H1N1 Vaccine
Through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), we have registered to receive H1N1 vaccine for administration to students in either nasal spray or injectable formulations.  As it is received from DPH, vaccine initially will need to be distributed to campus health care personnel and staff whose roles frequently require them to be first responders in a medical emergency.  Distribution will then begin for students.  We expect to receive vaccine doses in shipment allotments over several weeks.  The injectable formulation can be used to immunize anyone eligible for the vaccine. 

Please note: The nasal spray formulation can be used only for those between the ages of 2 and 49, who are not pregnant and who do not have underlying medical conditions such as asthma or a compromised immune system. See the links below for more H1N1 vaccine information.

 As vaccinations are available for students, the community will be notified. There is no charge for H1N1 vaccination.  Faculty and other staff members should contact their health care providers for directives that may be specific for their medical profile. There will be no on-campus H1N1 vaccine clinic for employees who are not first responders in a medical emergency.

Additional H1N1 vaccine information:

The H1N1 Inactivated Vaccine  (the shot)
The H1N1 Live Attenuated Intranasal Vaccine  (the nasal spray)

Seasonal Influenza and Vaccination
As noted in a previous update, the 2009 seasonal influenza season began on October 4. At this early time in the season, current influenza activity is presumed to be H1N1.  The peak range of time for seasonal influenza is usually December through February.  As a community, it will be important to continue to practice all protective measures as the season progresses and the two strains of influenza possibly converge.

Health Service has ordered additional supplies of seasonal flu vaccine for distribution to students and will alert the community when those supplies arrive.

Reminders
Additionally, we would be remiss if we did not continue to encourage you to continue good health practices 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 sanitizer is an effective alternative.
• Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your 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 your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to minimize the spread of germs.