Goshen College responds to the H1N1 flu virus

GOSHEN, Ind. – Goshen College is closely monitoring local and national health advisories concerning the H1N1 flu virus, implementing preventative strategies to reduce the spread of both the seasonal flu and H1N1, and responding to several suspected cases of the flu.

The Goshen College Student Health and Wellness Center reports that, as of Sept. 10, 2009, some students have presented symptoms of influenza and, on the advisement of the Elkhart County Health Department, these cases are being treated as the H1N1 flu, although they have not been confirmed.

Two students have gone home to recover; one student is being isolated on campus in East Hall, a former campus residence which has been set aside for potentially ill students; and several more cases are being looked into of students who missed class because of illness. The college is working closely with the Elkhart County Health Department to monitor the situation and possible impacts.

"We know people will get sick with the flu this year, but we are keeping a focus on proactive measures to limit the spread of illness as much as we can," said Frank Johnson, crisis management coordinator and special assistant to the president. "We have taken a number of steps as a campus to educate students and employees about what they can do for self-care and have developed a campus plan to respond to the situations that arise."

The precautions the college has taken in relation to the H1N1 flu virus:

• Goshen College has a pandemic flu plan that identifies steps to be taken in response to suspected or confirmed cases of the flu. The plan is under continual review by the Crisis Management Team. The college will act appropriately to minimize the impact of suspected and confirmed cases of the flu on students, faculty, staff, campus visitors and our community.

• Preventative measures have been taken, including the installation of hand sanitizers, the purchase of surgical masks and the distribution of information to promote good health and prevent the spread of the flu. The Health and Wellness Center will administer flu vaccines to students and employees when they become available.

• The college has identified campus space and procedures to isolate students with suspected or confirmed cases of flu who are unable to go home, and to provide them with food, medicine and class work as needed.

• Although CDC guidelines do not require a school closure because of isolated cases of H1N1, the college is prepared to close the campus if directed to do so by health officials. At this time though, all classes, programs (including Study-Service Term) and college activities are proceeding as scheduled.

• Goshen College administrators will continue to monitor the flu situation and keep the campus community and parents informed about any developments. A three-tier upgraded emergency notification system has been installed to assist with this, and updates will be posted at: www.goshen.edu/emergency/flu.

The precautions individuals can take to keep from getting sick with the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

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

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. 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 spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

And finally, what Goshen College students and employees should do if they feel sick:

• Parents/family members are being encouraged to be in regular contact with their student to remind them to take necessary health precautions and make sure they feel well.

• Anyone with flu symptoms (fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea or vomiting) is being advised to limit their physical contact with others to slow the spread of the illness and seek appropriate medical assistance. Students who exhibit flu-like symptoms should immediately contact the staff in the college's Student Wellness and Health Center, Room 108 of the Roman Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center. The center is directed by nurse practitioner Diane White and can be contacted at (574) 535-7474 or health@goshen.edu. Students with flu-like symptoms will be encouraged to go home if possible.

• In case of an after-hours emergency, students are being advised to contact their resident director or resident assistant or go directly to the Goshen General Hospital emergency room.

• Faculty and staff with flu symptoms are being asked to contact their health care providers and remain at home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine.

For more information, visit:

GC Wellness and Health Center (www.goshen.edu/healthcenter/Home)

Elkhart County Health Department (www.elkhartcountyhealth.org/)

Flu information for Indiana (www.in.gov/isdh/24572.htm)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (www.flu.gov)

Any questions about how the college is working at addressing these issues should be directed to Frank Johnson, Goshen College's Crisis Management Coordinator, at (574) 535-6110 or fjohnson@goshen.edu.

Editors: For more information about this release, contact Goshen College Director of Public Relations Richard R. Aguirre at (574) 535-7571 or rraguirre@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.