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H1N1 Update, September 2, 2009

Wed Sep 02 12:59:00 CDT 2009

I want to start this update by thanking everyone who has utilized the flu prevention techniques of frequent handwashing, cough etiquette and staying home if you are sick. This becomes increasingly important, as with the second week of classes come confirmed cases of H1N1 on campus. In accordance with our plan for H1N1, students with influenza are self-isolating. For some this means they go home where they have the support of their family; others will self-isolate in their dorm rooms or apartments. Students who self-isolate on campus have their meals brought to them. We want to make sure student needs are met. To assist us in knowing who needs this assistance, we have opened a new link on our university web page and on the inAstate portal. Look for the ASU-H1N1 Flu Prevention and Reporting link, click it, and scroll down the page to the heading H1N1 Links. The Flu/H1N1 Report Form is the second link below that heading. Please use this to tell us about your flu status, or the flu status of others. Information provided in this link is not available to the public or general campus community. It simply is a method for telling me (Dr. Deborah Persell, the ASU H1N1 incident commander), Renata Vaughn, director of the Student Health Center, Dr. Lonnie Williams, associate vice-chancellor for Student Affairs, and Dr. Lynita Cooksey, dean of University College and associate vice-chancellor for Academic Affairs, that you have the flu. We will then seek to provide you assistance in accessing services you need during your recuperation. Parents of commuting students or students who live off-campus are especially urged to report the status of their student(s).

I have had several questions about how we are disinfecting and cleaning living and work spaces at the university. Cleaning schedules were already well established prior to H1N1, and those practices continue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, standard cleaning practices and procedures should be sufficient, along with increased cleaning of shared surfaces such as door knobs or desks. The cleaning and disinfectant products we use are hospital-grade and EPA-registered for H1N1. The frequency of cleaning shared spaces has been increased. In some high-traffic areas, such as computer labs, additional measures are available, such as providing hand sanitizers and/or wipes for student use. The truth is that no matter what product we use or how frequently we clean, someone can come behind us and touch that desk or door knob. We need everyone to take personal responsibility for keeping their work, living, and study spaces clean. It is a good idea to have your own bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer and wipes for your own desk. When a student is ill with influenza-like illness, our housekeeping personnel thoroughly disinfect the student’s dorm room. If you want more information on our cleaning protocols, please click on this link -- http://facilities.astate.edu/custodial.html. For a complete list of EPA registered influenza products, click here.

There are many links on our H1N1 site that provide you with vital information. Most of the answers to questions you may have can be found at those links. Should you need more information please contact the Student Health Center at (870) 972-2054, the Department of Student Affairs at (870) 972-3355, or me (dpersell@astate.edu, at 870-972-3074).

Dr. Deborah Persell, the author of this H1N1 update, is an associate professor of Nursing in ASU's College of Nursing and Health Professions, coordinator of the Regional Center for Disaster Preparedness Education, and an expert in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Contact Dr. Persell (dpersell@astate.edu) at (870) 972-3074.