Story by: WSU Office of University Communication
Winona State University is committed to the health and safety of its students, employees and visitors.
All members of the WSU community are encouraged to follow guidelines for flu prevention and report symptoms of influenza-like illness to Student Health Services and/or their direct supervisor.
University health officials, working in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Health and Winona County Public Health, are closely monitoring the outbreak of H1N1 influenza, and will provide updates as needed.
For more information and tips on preventing H1N1 at WSU, join WSU’s H1N1 Facebook Forum: “Sharing the news, not the germs”: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=255926825283&ref=ts.
WSU Pandemic Influenza Response Plan (PIRP)
WSU Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
To view the WSU Pandemic Influenza Response Plan (PIRP), click to download below:
WSU Pandemic Influenza Response Plan (PIRP)
What is H1N1? 2009 H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) <http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html> signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu was underway.
How is H1N1 different from “regular” flu? Both seasonal influenza (flu) and H1N1 are caused by influenza viruses, which infect the respiratory tract (i.e. the nose, throat and lungs). Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people. In the United States, on average 5-20 percent of the population gets the seasonal flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications and about 36,000 people die from seasonal flu-related causes. H1N1 appears to be different from seasonal influenza since adults older than 64 years do not appear to be at increased risk of 2009 H1N1-related complications.
H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this 2009 H1N1. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.
How does the H1N1 virus spread? Spread of 2009 H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people? The symptoms of 2009 H1N1 flu virus 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. Severe illnesses and death have also occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
How severe is illness associated with 2009 H1N1 flu virus? Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.
In seasonal flu, certain people are at “high risk” of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this 2009 H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at “high risk” of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
How does 2009 H1N1 flu compare to seasonal flu in terms of its severity and infection rates? With seasonal flu, we know that seasons vary in terms of timing, duration and severity. Seasonal influenza can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Each year, in the United States, on average 36,000 people die from flu-related complications and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related causes. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 are children younger than five years old. More than 90 percent of deaths and about 60 percent of hospitalizations occur in people older than 65.
2009 H1N1 flu has caused greater disease burden in people younger than 25 years of age than older people. At this time, there are few cases and few deaths reported in people older than 64 years old, which is unusual when compared with seasonal flu. However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza <http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm> appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this 2009 H1N1. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? There is no vaccine available right now to protect against 2009 H1N1 virus. However, a 2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in October. More information on this vaccine will be distributed as it becomes available. A vaccine is available to protect against seasonal influenza and can be obtained from University Health Services. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health: Cover your nose and mouth 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. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners <http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm#antibacterial> are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone <http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm> except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Other important actions that you can take are: Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs <http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm#antibacterial>, tissues and other related items could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing? If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours <http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm> after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
Keep away from others as much as possible. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
If I have a family member at home who is sick with 2009 H1N1 flu, should I go to work? Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with 2009 H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home until 24 hours after their fever clears. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call University Health Services or their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.
What if my roommate in the residence hall is sick with the flu?Students who are well but who have a roommate or suitemate with 2009 H1N1 flu can go to class as usual. These students should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. If they become ill, they should notify the hall front desk and stay in their room until 24 hours after their fever clears. Students who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call University Health Services or their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.
What should I do if I get sick? If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours <http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm> after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings. If you live in a residence hall, this means staying in your room except to seek medical care or for other necessities. Contact the hall front desk to advise them you are ill, and request food delivery.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact University Health Services or your health care provider. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care. In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish or gray skin color, not drinking enough fluids, severe or persistent vomiting, not waking up or not interacting, being so irritable that the child does not want to be held, flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough. In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
Do I need a respirator? In community and home settings, the use of facemasks and respirators generally are not recommended. However, for certain circumstances, a facemask or respirator may be considered.
A facemask (surgical mask) is designed to prevent the wearer from spreading germs by coughing or sneezing. It does not provide protection to the wearer, but to people around them. A respirator provides protection to the wearer by filtering particles down to a specified size.
Use of N95 respirators or facemasks generally is not recommended for workers on campus. For work activities that involve close extended contact with people who may have the flu, the following are recommended: workers should try to maintain a distance of six feet or more from the person with the flu; workers should keep their interactions with ill persons as brief as possible; the ill person should be asked to follow good cough etiquette and hand hygiene and to wear a facemask, if possible; workers at increased risk of severe illness from influenza infection should avoid people with the flu (possibly by temporary reassignment); and where workers cannot avoid close contact with persons with the flu, some workers may choose to wear a facemask or N95 respirator on a voluntary basis. Wearing a respirator requires the employee be medically cleared and individually fit tested through University Health Services. This is coordinated by departments with UHS for specific jobs.
Students living in residence halls who are ill may wish to use a facemask when they leave their room in order to reduce the chance of spreading the disease.
How long can influenza virus remain viable on objects (such as books and doorknobs)? Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for two to eight hours after being deposited on the surface.
What kills influenza virus? Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics) and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time. For example, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used to clean hands. The gels should be rubbed into hands until they are dry.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination? Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
How should waste disposal be handled to prevent the spread of influenza virus? To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.
What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of influenza virus? To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label. At UC, Facilities Management has increased cleaning frequency of commonly handled and touched surfaces.
How should linens, eating utensils and dishes of persons infected with influenza virus be handled? Linens, eating utensils and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating themselves. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub immediately after handling dirty laundry.
Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.
Can I get infected with 2009 H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork? No. 2009 H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get infected with novel HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
Two Confirmed Cases, Sept. 11, 2009
Letter to Campus, Sept. 9, 2009
Back to School Message, Aug. 20, 2009
Camps and Conferences Statement, Summer 2009
Spring Commencement, May 7, 2009
Confirmed Case in Minnesota, May 4, 2009
Travel to Mexico, April 28, 2009
Video on "How to Sneeze": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao7eyqoiIYs
More information on the H1N1 flu is available on the following Web sites:
Centers for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
- Minnesota Department of Health, http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/h1n1/index.html
- WSU homepage, http://www.winona.edu or Links page: http://www.winona.edu/links.htm
- Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (University of Minnesota), http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/
- Winona County Community Health Services, http://www.co.winona.mn.us/se3bin/clientgenie.cgi
- Centers for Disease Control Key Facts About Swine Influenza http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
- World Health Organization Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
(May 5, 2009)
Help Protect Your Co-Workers From Influenza (flyer available for download)
WSU Pandemic Influenza Response Plan Coordinating Committee
Sally Johnstone, Provost and VP for Academic Affairs
Connie Gores, VP Student Life and Development
Kurt Lohide, VP Finance and Administrative Services
Ken Gorman, Dean of International Studies / AVP for Academic Affairs
Cristeen Custer, AVP Marketing and Communications
Scott Ellinghuysen, AVP for Finance and Administrative Services/CFO
Caitlin Stene, President Student Senate
Larry Holstad, Director of Athletics
Jen Flowers, Associate Director of Athletics
Ken Janz, AVP for IT/CIO
Dick Lande, Director of Facilities
Don Walski, Director of Security
Andrea Mikkelsen, Director of Public Information
Diane Palm, Director Student Health Services
Erin Paulson, Director of Safety
Lori Reed, Director of Human Resources
Paula Scheevel, Director Housing and Residence Life
Bruce Svingen, IFO
Dan Bjornson, MMA
Leon Bowman, AFSCME
Paul Omdal, MAPE
Alicia Reed, ASF
- WSU -
Last Modified: Thursday, October 01, 2009 9:59 by Kelly Hahn
