<p>Have there been any cases of H1N1 on campus? What precautions if any has the unviersity taken? My son doesn’t think it is an issue on campus but I’m not sure.</p>
<p>This appeared in the Justice last week. </p>
<p>[Health</a> Center identifies 12 cases of influenza-like illness on campus - News](<a href=“http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2009/09/15/News/Health.Center.Identifies.12.Cases.Of.InfluenzaLike.Illness.On.Campus-3771822.shtml]Health”>http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2009/09/15/News/Health.Center.Identifies.12.Cases.Of.InfluenzaLike.Illness.On.Campus-3771822.shtml)</p>
<p>My D was one of the 12 :(</p>
<p>She was quarantined in her room; her roommate moved out and food was delivered to her. Her academic advisor communicated with her professors, as did she, and it seems as if they were all pretty lenient. (The fact that she is a first- year may have helped as well.) She was back in action after about 4 days. </p>
<p>Thanks for the article link RLM - I didn’t realize there were so few cases.</p>
<p>According to an e-mail sent out to students last Friday (after the article weas published on Tuesday), there have altogether been 44 cases and they have all been mild:
"To: The Brandeis Student Community</p>
<p>From: Rick Sawyer, VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Life </p>
<p>Flu Status Update - September 18, 2009 </p>
<p>Since the start of the school year, we have had 44 cases of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) reported by the Brandeis Health Center. The flu we have experienced is fairly mild. Students diagnosed with the flu have been ‘sick’ for about 4-5 days. The illness has included fever, cough, sore throat and upper respiratory congestion. The treatment has been rest, fever reduction medication, food and water. </p>
<p>As of noon on September 18, twenty-one students have been medically cleared to return to class. Twenty-three students remain under care.</p>
<p>Several sick students went home or off campus during their illness. The majority of the sick students remained in their own beds during their illness. There have been a handful of flu students who live off campus. Nearly all of them remained in their off-campus bed during their illness.</p>
<p>Sick students who share rooms with other students were cared for in place because it is the most prudent and recommended choice. In all cases of shared rooms, the roommates were temporarily relocated to empty beds in the Faculty Lodge and in some cases to empty beds elsewhere in their residence hall. In a couple of cases the roommates were offered bed space by friends. It has been the cooperation and understanding of roommates and the offers of housing from friends that has made this difficult management experience somewhat easier.</p>
<p>Many students took advantage of the seasonal flu vaccine program made available earlier this week at the Health Center. That vaccine is ‘seasonal flu’ vaccine and is designed to combat the annual flu season we experience in the winter. We are expecting to receive the H1N1 vaccine soon. When it arrives, students will be notified and instructions given as to how to access the vaccine. </p>
<p>Please continue to practice the very simple and basic recommendations to help the community control the spread of flu. Wash your hands often. If you feel sick, find out if you have flu symptoms (take your temperature and contact the Health Center). </p>
<p>Should the flu activity on campus ‘spike’, we are prepared to exercise additional planned options. So that there are no surprises, students who currently occupy suites or apartments where there is an empty bed may be asked to ‘host’ a roommate of an ill student temporarily. We have a very caring culture on this campus, and I thank you in advance for your understanding.</p>
<p>A lot of us will be traveling in the coming days. It is recommended that a student who becomes ill while home remain there until he or she has recovered. Please contact the Health Center to report your illness.</p>
<p>In order to review additional H1N1 information, continue to consult the Health Center website at [Health</a> Center | Brandeis University](<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/health]Health”>Student Health Center | Brandeis University).</p>
<p>Many staff members in the Health Center, in Community Living and in Facilities have been working days, nights and weekends to manage this ‘Fall of Flu’. I thank all of them for their support and hard work."</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your responses. I feel better just knowing the facts. Glad I sent hand santizer this year, just hope its being used.</p>
<p>Any further update on how the H1N1 is affecting the campus? My s thinks more are sick with it, but dont want to admit it because of the imposed isolation.</p>
<p>Read [The</a> Justice](<a href=“http://www.thejusticeonline.com/]The”>http://www.thejusticeonline.com/) tomorrow (Tuesday)</p>
<p>[Search</a> for Health Center director has been postponed - News](<a href=“http://www.thejusticeonline.com/news/2009/10/06/News/Search.For.Health.Center.Director.Has.Been.Postponed-3793827.shtml]Search”>http://www.thejusticeonline.com/news/2009/10/06/News/Search.For.Health.Center.Director.Has.Been.Postponed-3793827.shtml)</p>
<p>thank you both for the update.</p>
<p>To: The Brandeis Student Community</p>
<p>From: Rick Sawyer, VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Life </p>
<p>Campus Flu Status Update - October 9, 2009 </p>
<p>As of this morning, we have gone over 100 diagnosed cases of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) since the start of the school year. There are currently 14 students who are under care. While the number of students under care at any given time has had its ups and downs since the start of the year, the average number has been about ten.</p>
<p>The Health Center held two seasonal flu clinics this past week and dispensed their stock of seasonal flu vaccine. There will be subsequent seasonal flu clinics when additional vaccine arrives. </p>
<p>The flu visit to Brandeis thus far has had its challenges, but without exception the community has reacted impressively. But we cannot relax. Everyone must continue to practice the simple tips that we have been circulating. If you become ill with the flu, we need you to practice self-isolation. We have been caring for students ‘in place’, but this is only successful if the sick student stays in his or her space, and wears a mask when others are present. If you are sick, please do not leave your room unless it is to use the bathroom or go to the Health Center. Please do not socialize outside your room, even when you start to feel better. Use the dining services web site to access ‘Feeling Blue’ meals that someone can pick up for you. Please do not resume your normal academic and social life until you have been ‘cleared’ by the Health Center. If your roommate or suitemate becomes ill, please respond to Community Living promptly to put a plan in place for you and your roommate.</p>
<p>Faculty members have been asked to adjust attendance and work requirements for students who have become ill. Do not go to class if you are sick. Make sure the Health Center has diagnosed your sickness so that your faculty can be informed that you will not be in class.</p>
<p>Remember that the Health Center is open on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. If you need to speak to someone there during weekday or weekend after-hours, there is an on-call staff person reachable through the number on their website - 781-736-3677, or through Dispatch (x 63000).</p>
<p>Information about the H1N1 vaccine will be distributed as soon as we have exact arrival information. We are told the vaccine will be available in Massachusetts in early November. College age students are high on the priority list, but not at the top. The first batch we receive will be for students with pre-existing conditions that create elevated risk. Notification about the first wave of vaccine will go out as soon as it is available. If you have questions about what conditions constitute elevated risk, please consult the Health Center website at [Health</a> Center | Brandeis University](<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/health]Health”>http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/health). Other informative sites can be linked from the Health Center website.</p>
<p>Thank you for staying calm, cooperating, and caring.</p>
<p>To: The Brandeis Student Community</p>
<p>From: Rick Sawyer, VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Life </p>
<p>Campus Flu Status Update - October 9, 2009 </p>
<p>As of this morning, we have gone over 100 diagnosed cases of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) since the start of the school year. There are currently 14 students who are under care. While the number of students under care at any given time has had its ups and downs since the start of the year, the average number has been about ten.</p>
<p>The Health Center held two seasonal flu clinics this past week and dispensed their stock of seasonal flu vaccine. There will be subsequent seasonal flu clinics when additional vaccine arrives. </p>
<p>The flu visit to Brandeis thus far has had its challenges, but without exception the community has reacted impressively. But we cannot relax. Everyone must continue to practice the simple tips that we have been circulating. If you become ill with the flu, we need you to practice self-isolation. We have been caring for students ‘in place’, but this is only successful if the sick student stays in his or her space, and wears a mask when others are present. If you are sick, please do not leave your room unless it is to use the bathroom or go to the Health Center. Please do not socialize outside your room, even when you start to feel better. Use the dining services web site to access ‘Feeling Blue’ meals that someone can pick up for you. Please do not resume your normal academic and social life until you have been ‘cleared’ by the Health Center. If your roommate or suitemate becomes ill, please respond to Community Living promptly to put a plan in place for you and your roommate.</p>
<p>Faculty members have been asked to adjust attendance and work requirements for students who have become ill. Do not go to class if you are sick. Make sure the Health Center has diagnosed your sickness so that your faculty can be informed that you will not be in class.</p>
<p>Remember that the Health Center is open on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. If you need to speak to someone there during weekday or weekend after-hours, there is an on-call staff person reachable through the number on their website - 781-736-3677, or through Dispatch (x 63000).</p>
<p>Information about the H1N1 vaccine will be distributed as soon as we have exact arrival information. We are told the vaccine will be available in Massachusetts in early November. College age students are high on the priority list, but not at the top. The first batch we receive will be for students with pre-existing conditions that create elevated risk. Notification about the first wave of vaccine will go out as soon as it is available. If you have questions about what conditions constitute elevated risk, please consult the Health Center website at [Health</a> Center | Brandeis University](<a href=“http://www.brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/health]Health”>Student Health Center | Brandeis University). Other informative sites can be linked from the Health Center website.</p>
<p>Thank you for staying calm, cooperating, and caring.</p>
<p>Holy crickets, Ranger Rick is still there?! I graduated from Brandeis in 1996 and he was on admin staff then.</p>
<p>To: The Brandeis Student Community</p>
<p>From: Rick Sawyer, VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Life </p>
<p>Campus Flu Status Update - October 16, 2009 </p>
<p>As of noon today, we have reached 113 Influenza Like Illness cases since the start of the semester. Currently there are five students under care. Four are undergraduates. One is a graduate student who lives off campus.</p>
<p>This past week has been the slowest one to date in terms of new cases. For two days this past week we had no students under care. While we were all pleased with that news, no one really thought that we were done. This flu is not a bullet that we have dodged, it is more like a boomerang that will return.</p>
<p>Please do not think that because the number of active flu cases has quieted that we can stand down. In fact, when the H1N1 vaccine arrives, it is important that we all take advantage of availability. We are still awaiting word for the date of our first shipment of H1N1 vaccine. The first batch will be prioritized. We also expect to receive additional supplies of seasonal flu vaccine. The Health Center will announce additional vaccine clinics when ready.</p>
<p>Next weekend is Fall Fest. We will have hundreds of family visitors on campus for a long weekend. Please assist in controlling the potential for the spread of illness brought from off campus. If someone in your visiting family is ill with flu like symptoms, please be thoughtful about what measures you and they should take. If a sibling is planning on staying in your room - be alert to the possibility of an active flu case on your floor, and be alert to any sickness your sibling or family might be exhibiting. A great weekend is planned, and we have no intention of making a fuss out of the flu concerns. But some appropriate care and awareness would be a good thing. And, if your family is going to be visiting, ask them to bring a thermometer. If you already have one, someone else in your residence living area might need one.</p>
<p>Now that the colder weather has arrived, community members will be spending more time indoors. This has some marginal possibility for increase in the environmental spread of illness. Continued diligence with hand washing, sneezing, coughing and such must be followed.</p>
<p>In talking with colleagues at other schools, I continue to be very happy with the way we are all handling this challenge. Most schools of our size have had higher levels of flu cases, though for the most part their strategies have been similar to ours.</p>
<p>Thanks once again for your cooperation and your efforts. I know it is mid semester and the academic stresses have been mounting. While your attention will naturally turn more towards your work, please maintain the care required to stay healthy. And continue to be observant of the good health of those around you.</p>
<p>Have a good weekend.</p>
<p>To: The Brandeis Student Community</p>
<p>From: Rick Sawyer, VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Life </p>
<p>Campus Flu Status Update - October 23, 2009 </p>
<p>As of this morning, we have had just over 120 Influenza Like Illness cases since the start of the school year. We currently have 10 students who are sick and under flu care.</p>
<p>Ninety five percent of the colleges in America have reported flu outbreaks on their campuses. We believe that compared to other campuses, the number of flu cases here is very modest. This is a credit to our student community for their cooperation and common sense.</p>
<p>Now that we are half way through the semester, the danger for us is complacency. Please don’t allow the lower than expected impact of this flu to distract us from the diligence required to maintain control of potential spread. Please be wary of large gatherings, especially off campus. This is Fall Fest and we will have hundreds of visitors on campus at events and in residence halls and dining facilities. Many of you, if you do not have visitors, might be planning to visit friends and family elsewhere.</p>
<p>After this weekend we should anticipate a spike in reported flu cases. Please take care and practice common sense regarding the airborne spread of virus. There are hand sanitizers all around campus and they should be used. Taking great care when coughing and sneezing is still vital. If you are away this weekend, please understand that you might be in environments where the flu strain is more active.</p>
<p>If you have family visiting and any of them have active symptoms, please adjust your activities for the weekend.</p>
<p>We are told that the delivery of both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines are being delayed. When they arrive, we will notify the community and describe the vaccination process.</p>
<p>To those of you who have been sick and under our flu care - thank you so much for your cooperation. I know it was not fun being sick, and not fun practicing self quarantine. The success we have experienced in managing the flu at Brandeis is a credit to how sick students and their roommates/suitemates have handled themselves and cared about the health of the community.</p>
<p>Enjoy the weekend. Have fun. Stay well.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the updates. Any word when the vaccine will be available on campus?</p>
<p>This was in the Hoot :</p>
<p>[The</a> Brandeis Hoot H1N1 vaccine arrives, high risk students vaccinated beginning today](<a href=“thehoot.net”>thehoot.net)</p>
<p>[Vaccine</a> given to students with pre-existing conditions - News](<a href=“http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2009/11/17/News/Vaccine.Given.To.Students.With.PreExisting.Conditions-3834171.shtml]Vaccine”>http://media.www.thejusticeonline.com/media/storage/paper573/news/2009/11/17/News/Vaccine.Given.To.Students.With.PreExisting.Conditions-3834171.shtml)</p>
<p>I thought I’d update yesterday morning a some sizeable group of students, including myself, had the opportunity to get H1N1 vaccine after fewer than expected students showed up to get the amount allocated to students with pre-existing conditions. It all seemed to go smoothly.</p>
<p>To: The Brandeis Student Community</p>
<p>From: Rick Sawyer, VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Life </p>
<p>H1N1 Flu Update, December 11, 2009</p>
<p>This will be our last flu update to the student body for the semester. And perhaps the last flu update - period.</p>
<p>As of today, we have experienced 255 diagnosed flu illnesses in the student body since the start of the semester last August. Today we have 5 students with flu, one of whom is still on campus and under care.</p>
<p>A second batch of H1N1 vaccine arrived on campus at the beginning of this week. Notices were sent to the student body during the week to encourage students at risk to come to the Health Center, and subsequently, with some remaining doses available, a more general notice was sent out for others under the age of 24 to come by the Center. As of today (Friday) there are still a handful of H1N1 doses. </p>
<p>It appears that very soon the H1N1 vaccine will be readily available everywhere in the United States. We are expecting to receive our originally requested doses over the intersession break.</p>
<p>There is also a sizeable amount of seasonal flu vaccine on hand. Please remember that the H1N1 vaccine is free because it is owned and distributed by the government. The seasonal vaccine is purchased by the Health Center, so there is a small fee for the shot.</p>
<p>In addition to the flu, there is a fair amount of pneumonia occurring. We highly recommend that while students are home over break that they seek the full array of shots while there - H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines, and also a pneumonia shot. Because the vaccines take a few days to kick in, the previous advice regarding smart care should be followed - wash hands frequently, careful where you sneeze, etc.</p>
<p>I think recognition is due for all who have made the flu crisis nearly a non-factor at Brandeis this semester - the staff at the Health Center for sure. Also, the staffs in Community Living, Academic Services, Facilities Services, Dining Services, Public Safety, Bemco … And thanks also goes to all our students - both the students who weathered their illness without complaints, and their friends and families who assisted in caring for them.</p>
<p>Have a great semester break. See you back here in January.</p>