Wilson College has an emergency plan in place in case it becomes necessary to take any action regarding the H1N1 virus (swine flu). All updates or changes to the current situation will be posted to this website. In addition, we will continue to share regular updates, information and prevention tips with students, faculty and staff through the Office of Student Development, working closely with the College's Emergency Preparedness Committee and state and federal health authorities. Some examples of those updates are posted below.
Additional information is also available at the following sites:
Campus Prevention Updates
Sept. 11, 2009 - Message to campus asking students and faculty to see the information release from Summit Health with frequently asked questions regarding the H1N1 virus. Q&A on H1N1
Sept. 7, 2009 - Message to campus reminding students and faculty not to share water bottles, canned beverages, bottled drinks, utensils and the like. Housekeepers are wiping down doorknobs, elevator buttons, stairway handrails and other areas that are commonly touched.
Sept. 2, 2009 - Message to campus asking faculty and staff to use the new hand sanitizer dispensers in the dining hall.
Aug. 26, 2009 - Materials made available to campus community.
• Q&A on H1N1
• Preventing H1N1
• Effective Handwashing
Aug. 26, 2009 - Letter from student development office offering H1N1 (swine flu) virus information to faculty and staff:
Student Development Updates for Faculty/Staff:
1. Swine Flu:
- H1N1 Swine Flu: The Centers for Disease Control has stated that institutions have a high probability of facing a swine flu outbreak, given we have a population that lives and gathers in close proximity. As of June 11, the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Heath are no longer testing everyone but presuming people who exhibit certain symptoms are infected with H1N1.
- If you exhibit flu like symptoms, (fever, coughing, sore throat) stay home. When symptom-free for 24 hours, you can return. Wilson may also limit the spread within the college halls by isolating symptomatic students from others.
- Campuses and/or businesses will not be closed unless the flu does reach pandemic status and the college will make that call with the local health department. Please check Wilson’s web, upper right hand corner: Emergency Preparedness (in yellow); click and proceed to Section 21 which details the college’s plan if we need to respond to quarantine, closure, etc.
- Wilson will have seasonal flu shots available as usual in October/November. Watch your campus emails for availability. As a college, we are not high on the list for the specific swine flu vaccinations. Health care workers, child care workers and pregnant women appear to be highly affected by this particular strain and persons with chronic health issues will receive the vaccinations first. As of Aug. 19, the availability of the swine flu vaccine is less than expected since the virus is growing slower than expected. If you fit into one of the categories listed above, consult your physician.
- Wilson has been and will continue to monitor any influenza-like illnesses. Nicole Villella, college nurse, is in contact with the health officials; she will assist in additional updates to the campus with the communications office. Student development, Cabinet members and the emergency preparedness team have been attending workshops, webinars (Aug/ 21) and information sessions, and viewing the CDC and World Health Organization links.
- Good hygiene habits assist in limiting the spread of the flu. Cough into the upper sleeve area, not your hands and/or cough into tissue. Place tissue in wastebasket immediately after use. Carry alcohol based hand sanitizer for quick and efficient cleaning if you are not near a sink. Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible after personal contact. In the classroom, space students in every other seat to give some distance. Drink lots of water; eat a balanced diet. Exercise and rest.
- The new student orientation contained information on the H1N1 virus (swine flu); returning students and Wilson faculty and staff will be given information also when contagion becomes apparent. Women with Children, Child Care workers and parents will be provided with more specific, detailed information.
