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Campus Update: Sept. 10

Campus Update from VP of Academic Affairs Michael Le Roy

Dear students, faculty and staff,

I hope this first week of school finds you with renewed vitality and energy.  We have learned that not everyone is feeling energized.  The health center reports that we have had our first cases of flu-like illness; at this point, none are serious.  We had agreed that when we encountered our first cases we would provide an update to the community.  In keeping with public health guidelines, we are treating all cases as possible cases of H1N1.

Our health and safety professionals want me to emphasize the importance of following common-sense precautions to reduce the incidence and transmission of the flu virus. These precautions, which are detailed on our website (www.whitworth.edu/health&counselingcenter/flupreparation.htm), include:

1. Washing your hands often with soap and water or sanitizer.
2. Covering your mouth with a tissue or your elbow/shoulder when you cough and sneeze.
3. Cleaning surfaces that are touched often. (Custodians are doing this in public places and disinfecting wipes are available from medics in the residence halls)
4. Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

The tell-tale signs for H1N1 are a persistent fever of 100.5 or higher, a dry hacking/burning cough and severe fatigue. Students with these symptoms should contact the health center (777-3259) so  appropriate care can be coordinated. They also should stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people, except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

Prevention is the best medicine, and student success can be ensured by limiting the transmission of these viruses.  These guidelines are extremely important for minimizing the incidence of flu-like illness on our campus, so we appreciate your cooperation this term.

Michael K. Le Roy, Ph.D.
Vice President, Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA 99251
Ph. (509) 777-3702
Fax (509) 777-4763