Potential H1N1 outbreaks lead college campuses to prepare for the worst

KJ Lang

Aug. 24, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Close quarters in cramped dorms. No parents to keep a watchful eye. The potential for outbreaks of H1N1 on local college campuses has officials preparing for the worst as fall classes resume in the coming weeks.

"You want to plan for the worst and hope for the best -- that is what you do whether it's a presidential visit or the flu," said Scott Rohde, chief of University of-La Crosse's university police.

UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow compared the preparation to the Y2K scare.

"You want to be ready, but you don't want to overreact," he said.

Campuses are stocking up on face masks and hand sanitizer, updating flu preparedness plans and promoting mass campus flu vaccinations, college officials said.

It is not a matter of if the H1N1 virus will be on campus, but to what extent, said Paula Knudson, UW-L dean of students. UW-L already had a flurry of students with flu-like symptoms over the summer, causing UW-L to suspend a summer program in July.

One of the biggest challenges in the year ahead will be continuing to educate students when they are home sick, said Dr. Brian Allen, director of UW-L's student health services.

Campuses want students to stay home if they are sick so they don't spread the virus to classmates. But that may require some changes in how they do business.

UW-L officials are encouraging staff to ease up on attendance policies and allow students to make up late work.

Viterbo University officials are exploring the possibility of faculty moving classes online if large numbers of faculty or students get sick, said Sue Danielson, coordinator of health services at Viterbo University.

The key, officials say, is not getting to the point of large absentee lists by promoting health education and vaccines.

Local campuses hope to attract increased numbers at their regular seasonal flu vaccinations on campus. Generally, UW-L Health Services gives 1,200 shots per year to students. This year, they hope to vaccinate over half of the student population, about 4,500 students, said Allen.

Health Services will continue to set up flu clinics on Western's campus as well, said Allen. Campuses will promote getting both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine, depending on availability, officials said.

Campuses plan to educate their communities about preventing the spread of illness via campus-wide e-mails, posters, Web site, videos and even bookmarks inserted in UW-L's textbook rental books. The messages will range from coughing into a sleeve to washing hands thoroughly.

"It is general things they've been told all their life, but continue when you grow up," said Danielson.

UW-L is developing an education campaign with the slogan "be honest, be prepared," said Knudson. Members of the campus community need to be honest with themselves if they are sick and need to stay home, she said.

Denise Vujnovich, Western's vice president for student services and college relations, agreed.

"We need to trust that students and staff will do what is best for their health and the health of others," she said.

Campuses will seek guidance from the county and the state for such plans as when to close campus, officials said.

Tracking sick college students would be tricky, said Danielson.

"Students won't always call the same place," she said. "Some will call me, some will call their instructor, some just won't show up."

Viterbo is not planning to count absent or sick students, but plans to watch for large numbers of students missing class or coming through health services on campus, said Danielson.

UW-L and Western will track student illness through the Student Health Center, which serves both UW-L and Western students, said Knudson.

Once they have 20 people with influenza-like symptoms per day through urgent care, they will move to the next steps on the flu preparedness plan, said Allen.

For example, the Student Health Center would suspend routine physical exams to open more space in the health center for sick students, said Allen.

Once 30 percent of students and staff are ill, they would consider closing campus, but will look for guidance from the county and the state, said Allen.

Cramped college residence halls are havens for germs to spread from one student to the next. At Viterbo, they are working on plans to find a place where sick students could be isolated, said Danielson. Knudson and Danielson said a solution might be sending sick students home if their family lives in the area. UW-L may also encourage roommates of sick students to come in and be treated as well, said Knudson.

Keeping high traffic areas on campus clean will also be important, officials said. UW-L officials have thought about having students wipe down frequently touched areas on campus such as keyboards in computer labs and ATM machines, said Knudson.

The Western Technical College student government voted to use student activities fees to install hand sanitizer at building entrances on campus. UW-L and Viterbo have installed them in high-traffic areas, such as computer labs and libraries.

"I don't know if I'm concerned, just watchful," said Danielson. "We have to be as best prepared as we can."

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