Novel H1N1 Influenza Virus Updates

Ferris State University cannot normally quarantine individuals or groups. Faculty members cannot bar students from a class. Faculty and staff can encourage students to contact their health provider if they are experiencing flu symptoms and recommend that they isolate themselves. The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus influenza-like-illness (ILI) in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Student and employees should be advised not to attend classes or work if they have ILI and/or a temperature of 100 degrees F.

Develop H1N1 influenza contingency plans now if you don't already have them.

Prioritize the teaching and nonteaching responsibilities of your areas so that you can carry out the department's most important work in the event of higher than usual employee absence due to the flu.

Plan for higher than normal faculty, staff, and student absences due to seasonal and H1N1 flu. Depending on severity, the absence rate could be approximately 35% at any one time.

Prepare a more relaxed attendance policy/procedure for students for implementation if we experience an outbreak of H1N1.

Monitor the number with influenza-like-illness (ILI) as they call in. There will be further guidance on this procedure.

It is very possible that the Birkam Health Center and other medical providers will not see all those with flu. Medical leave documentation of illness may not be available for some of your staff and students.

Prepare alternate means of delivering course materials when possible.

The Health Center will provide up to date messages in concert with the Community Health Department, News Services, Emergency Management and our emergency messaging systems.

Plan for redundancy at least three deep in leadership in your areas in case of illness among key personnel

It is likely that a mild outbreak of H1N1 would result in the university remaining open for as long as possible. If a moderate to severe outbreak occurs, discussion could occur on cancelling classes for several days.

It is thought that the capacities of Housing, Dining, and Health Center could be reached when influenza-like illness (ILI) reaches between 100 and 200 students at any one time, depending on severity and timing.

Convey good hygiene habits including using the Health Centerýs posters and messages of "Wash Your Hands" and "Cover Your Cough". Additional supplies of posters are available at the Copy Center. Check Health Center website.

Make available hand sanitizers for your office areas or recommend soap and water.

Plans involve adding initially at least one sanitizer for each building on campus.

Encourage regular seasonal flu vaccinations and H1N1 vaccine when available. More details will be posted on seasonal vaccine within two weeks.

Avoid contact with people who have influenza like illness (ILI).

Stay home and contact your physician if you have ILI. Encourage students to call the Health Center if sick.

If you are pregnant or if your immune system is compromised, it is especially important for you to stay healthy and take strong preventative measures.

Take care of your family. Stay up to date on university, school and local health department news.

The Birkam Health Center website has been updated with several new messages and websites for your information.

The H1N1 Task Force Team is composed of Paul Sullivan, Mike McKay, Tricia Walding Smith, and Chris Weber. They are part of the Communicable Diseases Task Force and are working on developing All-Hazards Contingency Plans with key departments and areas.

A Campus Wide Communications Strategy is under development using the Ferris State Main Web Page and the Birkam Health Center website as the prime source of university information.

Campus-Wide Poster Campaign includes posters "Wash Your Hands", "Cover Your Cough", "Stop: Do You Feel Sick?"

Special Guidance forwarded to Housing and Dining Services.

Campus Cable to carry H1N1 message related to Birkam Health Center website.

Press Releases and Public Information Interviews already initiated.

Residence Life and Dining Services prepared to isolate in place ill students voluntarily and to provide meals to the sick up to a maximum capacity of 200 students at a time.

Developing a plan with Michigan Department of Community Health District # 10 to store future H1N1 vaccine for the area in cold storage on campus.

Birkam Health Center has a short-term inventory of emergency supplies for medical staff and patients.

Health Center has developed triage plans for (student) walk-in and telephone patients.

Health Center is a "Sentinel Site" and working closely with Health Departments.

Administrative and Finance is developing a plan to purchase and install more liquid hand sanitizers and hand wipe dispensers in campus buildings. More to come on this soon.

Your H1N1 Task Force Team and the Birkam Health Center is communicating with the Health Department # 10 in Big Rapids and Region 6 Biodefense Council out of Muskegon on a regular basis. We are also communicating with other universities across the country and the state.