Preparing for the Flu (Including 2009 H1N1 Flu)

August 23, 2009

General Information

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is forecasting the potential for another H1N1 wave in the fall and a particularly severe flu season. We would like to update you on the college’s preparations for the upcoming year and remind all to remain vigilant and continue to take the necessary precautions against the illness.

We are closely monitoring developments nationwide and in Vermont and Lamoille County related to the H1N1 influenza virus. The college will communicate regularly to students, faculty, and staff as updates are available. A campus preparedness committee meets regularly to monitor the pandemic’s status. This web page, as well as JSC email and our MyJSC portal, will provide information on the illness and should be viewed as a resource for students, parents, faculty, and staff looking for updates at the college if an outbreak occurs.

You can access these links for additional information.

www.cdc.gov/swineflu
www.who.org
http://healthvermont.gov/panflu/SwineFlu.aspx

For any questions, contact Jeanie Cass, Director of JSC Health Services, at Jeanie.Cass@jsc.edu

Campus Flu Prevention Efforts and Vaccination Info

As you may know, flu can be spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at Johnson State College for as long as possible, but, we need your help to accomplish this.

We are working closely with emergency preparedness workers in Lamoille County to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. Johnson State College’s emergency preparedness committee has met on a regular basis and we will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.

For now, we are doing everything we can to keep our institution operating as usual. Here are a few things you can do to help:

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.

• Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.

• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.

• Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medication(any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don’t go to class or work.

• Talk with your health care providers or Jeanie in the health center about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). If you know you want the flu shot, please email our office manager Carrie Koniuto at Carrie.Koniuto@jsc.edu so we may reserve your vaccine no later than Tuesday, October 13th. The cost of the vaccine will be $10.00.

Please be advised that we will keep you up to date about the H1N1 vaccination process. At this time we will proceed ahead with our routine flu clinic and will wait to hear from state officials about the H1N1 vaccine here on campus.

For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).