9/1/2009: Updated Flu Info

September 1, 2009

Dear Community,

Berea’s Pandemic Planning and Assessment Team (PAT) has been preparing over the summer for the predicted resurgence of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.  To minimize its impact on our learning community, it’s imperative that we be especially attentive to prevention.  As we welcome you back to campus, we also ask you to help in this critical task. Here are some things you can do to prevent the spread of the flu at Berea College.

  • Wash your hands often and/or use alcohol based hand cleaners.
  • Refrain from touching your face, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • If you cough or sneeze use a tissue or cough into your elbow.
  • Purchase the following for personal use: hand sanitizer, air/hard surface disinfectant, supply of clear liquids, tissues.

Flu symptoms include:

  • sudden onset of fever greater than 100 degrees
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • headache
  • muscle aches
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting.

If you develop such symptoms, call Health Service (ext. 3212), describe your symptoms and arrange for testing. You should not go to class or work and should maintain a reasonable distance from others until a diagnosis has been made.  If H1N1 is confirmed, social distancing and refrain from working and attending class should continue until fever has been gone for 24 hours without the aid of fever reducing medication. Supervisors and faculty are being asked to recognize the importance of such absence.

The PAT has been continuously monitoring and/or participating in plans with the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the State and Madison County Health Departments. A Berea College Flu News website is now available providing current campus information, and links to various other sites.  Access it from Berea’s Home Page or go to www.berea.edu/flu ,or  www.berea.edu/flunews  It also appears on the LivingWell channel of myBerea for students.  These links provide access to recently released CDC Guidelines for Higher Education Institutions. 

Since Berea is a residential campus, PAT has developed a plan to isolate residential students if needed. Students with confirmed H1N1 virus will be encouraged, whenever possible, to go home for their duration of their illness.  For those unable to get home, we will be able accommodate some students in isolation.

Finally, PAT has worked with many College departments to distribute prevention posters around campus, train appropriate staff in cleaning techniques, provide hand sanitizer dispensers in residence halls and selected public buildings, and increase awareness through education and consultation.

The H1N1 vaccine is not expected to be available until late October.  Madison County will receive a limited supply to be distributed to various populations based on their level of risk.  We do not yet know whether that availability will extend to our student population.  Meanwhile, Health Service has ordered a large supply of seasonal flu vaccine. While seasonal flu vaccination does not prevent one from contracting the H1N1 virus, it may lessen the effects to some extent. 

Please continue to educate yourself on the H1NI flu, CDC recommendations, campus plans, and future PAT updates at http://www.berea.edu/flu   We wish you a healthy and productive Fall Term. 

The Pandemic/Epidemic Planning and Assessment Team:

Virgil Burnside, Residence Life
Miriam David, College Health Service
Gus Gerassimides, Student Life
Darrell Harrison, Public Safety
Tim Jordan, Public Relations
Leslie Kaylor (Chair), Environmental Health and Safety
Bev Penkalski, Labor and Student Life
Jeff Reed, Facilities Management
Gail Wolford, Labor and Student Life