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The new H1N1 flu virus is highly contagious and illness has spread rapidly among young people, especially those staying in summer camps, dormitories and other confined settings. Universities and colleges throughout the nation are already seeing outbreaks of illness.
Therefore, the higher education community will play a pivotal role in limiting the spread of the new H1N1 flu virus. Universities can take specific steps to protect students, faculty and staff and limit disruption to vital academic activities.
It is critical for schools to be prepared for this flu. More than 17 million students attend the 4,300 degree-granting post-secondary institutions in the United States.
So far, the illness caused by the H1N1 flu has primarily affected younger people, and symptoms have been mild. However, the virus has the potential to cause serious and widespread illness. For some people, especially those with weakened immune systems, any type of influenza is potentially life-threatening.
Protecting against the flu
- The best way to limit the spread of flu is through frequent hand washing. Institutions should encourage and facilitate hand washing and cough and sneeze practices by students, faculty, and staff. Encourage flu vaccinations for those recommended for vaccination and separate ill people from others as soon as possible. Although isolating ill people is not typically recommended for seasonal flu, it is a critical strategy for addressing H1N1flu for the 2009-2010 school year (see note below).
- Post flu-related educational materials throughout the campus. Place posters and flyers to enhance compliance with these recommendations. Information and links to credible sources should be posted on the institution’s Web site. Examples of these materials are available at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu. Materials can be ordered from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/BT_Response/_H1N1Flu.html.
- Institutions should review their sick leave policies to remove barriers that discourage faculty and staff from staying home while ill or to care for an ill family member.
- Officials may consider altering policies on missed classes and examinations and late assignments so that students’ academic concerns do not prevent them from staying home when ill or prompt them to return to class or take examinations while still ill and potentially infectious. Distance learning or web-based learning may also help students maintain self-isolation.
- Do not require a doctor’s note for students, faculty, or staff to validate their illness or to return to work, as doctor’s offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and may not be able to provide such documentation in a timely way.
Suspending Classes
- Suspension of classes is generally recommended only for conditions of increased influenza severity when the institution is not able to maintain normal functioning. However, class suspension might be necessary during periods of heightened influenza activity in the community. Such decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis.
- Administrators should communicate regularly with local public health officials to obtain the latest guidance about reporting influenza-like illnesses at their schools. The most recent recommendations for universities and colleges dealing with the flu can be found at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/BT_Response/_Universities.html. More suggestions for dealing with the flu in a school setting can be found at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/BT_Response/_Schools.html.
Planning and Preparation by the institution
- Institutions should tailor the guidelines taking into account the size, diversity and mobility of their student body, faculty and staff; their location and physical facilities; programs; and the capacity of student and employee health services.
- Decisions about which strategies to implement should balance the goal of reducing the number of people who become seriously ill from flu with the goal of minimizing educational and social disruption.
- First, officials should examine and revise their current pandemic plans and procedures, and update contact information for students, their families, faculty and staff.
- Communication plans should be shared with students, their families, faculty and staff before an outbreak so that they know how the institution will contact them and what types of information to expect.
- Determine how to separate sick students from other students and plan to have enough space available. Determine the amount of supplies needed to maintain good hygiene, and if necessary, the amount of face masks and medical equipment.
- Institutions should communicate with vendors who supply critical products or services to plan for continuation of those services throughout the flu season. Critical services may include food service, hygiene supplies, security and personal protective equipment for staff. Use the planning checklist for colleges and universities at http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/collegeschecklist.html.
Note: Complete guidelines for self-isolation of residential students with influenza-like illness in their residence halls, dormitory rooms, the campus health service, or other locations can be found at http://flu.gov/plan/school/higheredtechreport.html. Other guidelines are provided for high-risk students, students studying abroad and for attending public events. Letters, e-mails and information about text messages for students, faculty and parents is provided at http://flu.gov/plan/school/higheredtoolkit.html.
Additional Information
CDC guidance for dealing with the flu
Information for university administrators and health officials detailing the reasons that certain steps help control flu outbreaks
Advice for universities and colleges on how to get the message out about limiting the spread of flu |
