To Families of Ithaca College students:

We want to update you on the H1N1 flu situation on campus, and on what we are doing to help protect the health of your Ithaca College student.

Little introduction to this topic is needed at this point, as news about H1N1 is everywhere. The H1N1 or “swine” flu strain is now prevalent throughout the northern hemisphere; so prevalent, in fact, that in the absence of ordinary or “seasonal” strains, the CDC and state health departments are not recommending routine testing of individuals with flu-like illness. Like most colleges and universities, the Ithaca College Health Center has seen students with flu-like symptoms.

The main public health concern nationwide at this point is widespread absenteeism from school and work, not the seriousness of the illness. Infections with H1N1 have generally been milder than most seasonal flu so far.  The symptoms include fever greater than 100 degrees (37.8C) plus some combination of headache, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea and diarrhea.

The Centers for Disease Control issued updated guidelines for institutions of higher education on August 21, 2009, anticipating wider transmission and possibly greater impact than occurred during the spring and summer months. The guidelines include the following recommendations for colleges and universities:

·        Self-isolation of residential students with flu-like illness. We are asking students who live within a reasonable distance of Ithaca to return home until their temperature has been normal for 24 hours, ideally travelling in a way that limits contact with others.  Students living in private rooms should remain in their room, pairing up with a “buddy” who will bring them their meals. An email has gone out to all students explaining how those on a meal plan can get take-out meals from Dining Services. Individuals living in shared residences who cannot return home should protect their roommates, to the extent they can, by wearing a surgical mask and maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet when possible. Masks are available at no charge at the Health Center and will be available shortly through all RAs as well.

In cooperation with Information Technology Services and at the recommendation of the Core Emergency Response Team (CERT), we have activated a web portlet on the myHome at Ithaca website for students. This “H1N1 Flu Info” portlet contains up-to-date information on the College’s response to the flu, links to additional information sources, and what to do if you think you might have the flu. Students will also see a button that will allow them to self-report if they have flu-like symptoms. By clicking the button, the Health Center will be notified and will be able to follow up.

·        Ill students need to remain out of classes until their temperature has been normal for at least 24 hours. The Ithaca College faculty and academic leadership fully support this recommendation. Departments and faculty will communicate their individual accommodations, requirements for completion of missed work, etc., to their students.