DATE: Sep. 4, 2009
TO: DeLand Campus Students, Faculty, Staff
FROM: Deborah Thompson, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Campus Life
SUBJECT: H1N1 "Swine" Flu Update

In the first several days of the fall semester, we had an average of eight students a day diagnosed at Student Health Services (SHS) with suspect H1N1 "swine" flu. Although the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are no longer accepting specimens from health care providers in the community, SHS is a sentinel provider for the CDC and has been asked to send up to five specimens per week for statistical monitoring. The first six specimens sent to the state laboratory all came back positive for 2009 H1N1 (Swine Flu). Since Friday, Aug. 28, the number of students diagnosed with suspect H1N1has dropped to an average of four per day. The majority of cases have been relatively mild, with students able to return to classes within three to five days. The staff at SHS and the administration would like to thank the community for being diligent about prevention and following self-isolation recommendations when ill with the flu.  The prevention and management of the flu is a community-wide effort. 
 
We are following the CDC guidelines when diagnosing and treating ill students. SHS is requesting that students not return to classes until they are free of a fever for 24 hours without fever-reduction medication. Because physicians' offices are overwhelmed with ill patients, CDC does not recommend that people diagnosed with suspect H1N1 obtain physician clearance prior to ending social isolation. In addition, the CDC is asking that employers not request a note from employees who have had symptoms and have missed work without seeing a physician.
 
Students who have been diagnosed with suspect H1N1 from an outside physician and are in self-isolation, please contact SHS (386-822-8152) to inform them of the diagnosis. The Dean of Students’ Office will notify professors of your absence from class.
 
Employees who have been diagnosed with suspect H1N1, please notify your immediate supervisor. If you develop flu-like symptoms, do not come to work. If you are well but you have a family member sick with H1N1 flu, you should go to work as usual. However, you should monitor your health carefully, and if you become ill with flu-like symptoms, please notify your supervisor and stay at home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication. Check with your health care provider about any special care you may need. Communicate with your supervisor in your usual manner about your absence and your expected time to return to work. You should use your accrued sick leave or vacation time, as available, to cover your time missed at work.
 
We strongly encourage all members of the Stetson community to get a seasonal flu shot as well as the H1N1 vaccination, when available. More information will be sent shortly regarding the on-campus availability of both shots. 
 
Please continue to remind our community members to follow CDC guidelines for staying well and to self-isolate when ill with the flu. For additional information about the flu, see the CDC’s Q&A page: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm or go to www.flu.gov .

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DATE: Aug. 21, 2009
TO: DeLand Campus Students, Faculty, Staff
FROM: Deborah Thompson, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Campus Life
SUBJECT: H1N1 "Swine" Flu Update

Today, Student Health Services at Stetson University made its first diagnoses of suspected H1N1 virus. Three undergraduate, residential students received the diagnosis of suspected H1N1 virus from our physician based on a clinical evaluation. Their symptoms fall within the wide parameters of the flu; it could be seasonal influenza or H1N1. Regardless, all three students are going home with family members to recover.

Students living in the residence halls can find helpful information on the Residential Life Web site.

Anyone in the campus community can find general information about the H1N1 virus at the Centers for Disease (CDC) Control Web site.

With the continued spread of the H1N1 virus, we urge all students and parents to develop a personal flu treatment/recovery plan and be ready to implement that plan if you get sick while at school (see specific suggestions below). Additionally, we encourage all members of the Stetson community to follow the guidelines below to help prevent and/or respond to H1N1 illness:

1. In the Event of Illness

• If you develop flu-like symptoms, call Student Health Services (386-822-8150) and follow the advice given by the staff. An assessment of your symptoms will be made over the phone to determine if you should be seen by the nurse or the physician. Student Health Services is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• If Student Health Services is closed, students should go to the emergency room or a walk-in clinic for evaluation. The nearest emergency room is at Florida Hospital-DeLand, located at 701 W. Plymouth Ave., DeLand.
• Students diagnosed by a physician with suspected H1N1 while Student Health Services is closed should call Public Safety at 386-822-7300 to report their illness. That will allow the Dean of Students Office to follow up with you regarding your recovery.
• Implement your personal flu recovery plan. As mentioned above, each student should discuss with their family a plan for personal family assistance if the student is diagnosed with H1N1 flu. Having this discussion now will mean that you and your family will be better prepared to respond to the onset of the virus should it occur.
• Stetson University requests all students who have been diagnosed with suspected H1N1 flu, recover at home or at an off-campus location. If we are able to keep students who likely have the H1N1 virus out of the residential environment while they are contagious, it will greatly reduce the spread of the disease through the residential community. Whenever possible, students wishing to return home to recover should travel by private vehicle rather than public transportation.
• Individuals who have been diagnosed with suspected H1N1 virus should continue to self-isolate until they have been without a fever for 24 hours without fever-reduction medication.

Students missing class or other academic activities due to H1N1 flu should contact their professors via email or phone to notify them of their absence and to make arrangements for make-up work.

2. Prevention

• Wash your hands often during the day, and especially before eating or snacking.
• Use alcohol-based sanitizers as often as practicable. We have placed sanitizer containers in offices around the campus and in public restrooms on the campus. Please call ext. 8808 if you need a refill of sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible, especially when touching objects handled by others (door handles, mail, money, paperwork, etc.).
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away after using it.
• Do not share your food or drink with others.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• If there are cases of H1N1 flu among your friends or acquaintances (i.e., persons with whom you have close contact), consider wearing a mask over your mouth and nose to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

3. Symptoms

• The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea.
• If you observe a fellow student or employee exhibiting these symptoms, encourage them to follow the advice given below.

For more specific information about the H1N1 virus, and for helpful planning suggestions, go to the official U. S. government web site at www.pandemicflu.gov.

All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to have a supply of face masks and disposable gloves that can be used to help reduce the spread of the virus in the community. Make sure you dispose of masks and gloves after wearing them around persons displaying flu-like symptoms.

Thank you for your cooperation with these guidelines. Students may call the office of the Dean of Students if they have questions (386-822-7200). Faculty and staff may call the Office of Human Resources if they have questions (386-822-8710).

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DATE: July 31, 2009
TO: DeLand Campus Students
FROM: Jim Beasley, Senior Vice President, Chair Emergency Management Team
SUBJECT: H1N1 "Swine" Flu Update

The University continues to monitor the spread of the H1N1 virus. While we have seen no cases of the H1N1 flu on the Stetson campus, we have had reports that some students on break for the summer have contracted the virus. We also know that there are several cases of the H1N1 flu in Volusia County. With the continued spread of the H1N1 virus, we urge all students and parents to develop a personal flu treatment/recovery plan and be ready to implement that plan if you get sick while at school (see specific suggestions below). Additionally, we encourage all members of the Stetson student community to follow the guidelines below to help prevent and/or respond to H1N1 illness:

1. Prevention

• Wash your hands often during the day, and especially before eating or snacking.
• Use alcohol-based sanitizers as often as practicable. We have placed sanitizer containers in offices around the campus and in public restrooms on the campus. Please call ext. 8808 if you need a refill of sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible, especially when touching objects handled by others (door handles, mail, money, paperwork, etc.).
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away after using it.
• Do not share your food or drink with others.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• If there are cases of H1N1 flu among your friends or acquaintances (i.e., persons with whom you have close contact), consider wearing a mask over your mouth and nose to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

2. Symptoms

• The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and, occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea.
• If you observe a fellow student or employee exhibiting these symptoms, encourage them to follow the advice given below.

For more specific information about the H1N1 virus, and for helpful planning suggestions, go to the official U. S. government web site at www.pandemicflu.gov/ .

3. In the Event of Illness

• If you develop flu-like symptoms, call Student Health Services (ext. 8150) and follow the advice given by the staff. An assessment of your symptoms will be made over the phone to determine if you should be seen by the nurse or the physician.
• If Student Health Services is closed, students should go to the emergency room for evaluation. The nearest emergency room is at Florida Hospital-DeLand, located at 701 W. Plymouth Ave., DeLand.
• Implement your personal flu recovery plan. As mentioned above, each student should discuss with their family a plan for personal family assistance if the student is diagnosed with H1N1 flu. Having this discussion now will mean that you and your family will be better prepared to respond to the onset of the virus should it occur. We will request that on-campus residents displaying symptoms that, in the opinion of Student Health Services or your personal physician, point to H1N1 flu, not remain in their residence hall, but recuperate at home or at some off-campus location where isolation of the patient is more feasible. Your plan should include the identification of a family member or friend who can assist the student in traveling home or to an off-campus location for recuperation. If we are able to keep students who likely have the H1N1 out of the residential environment while they are contagious, it will greatly reduce the spread of the disease through the residential community. The University Inn, just across the street from the campus, will have rooms available to students and families who need a place to stay in DeLand during the period of recuperation. International students or others needing special housing consideration will be assisted by the Office of the Dean of Students.
• Students missing class or other academic activities due to H1N1 flu should contact their professors via email or phone to notify them of their absence and to make arrangements for make-up work.

Residential students are encouraged to bring several face masks and a box of disposable gloves to campus with them. It is very likely that we will be dealing with flu on the campus, and you should be ready to use these items to help reduce the spread of the virus in the community. Make sure you dispose of masks and gloves after wearing them around persons displaying flu-like symptoms.

Thank you for your cooperation with these guidelines. Please watch for a follow-up email from Debbie Cassidy, Director of Student Health Services. Please feel free to call the office of the Dean of Students if you have questions (386-822-7200).

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DATE: July 31, 2009
TO: DeLand Campus Faculty and Staff
FROM: Jim Beasley, Senior Vice President, Chair Emergency Management Team
SUBJECT: H1N1 "Swine" Flu Update

The University continues to monitor the spread of the H1N1 virus. While we have seen no cases of the H1N1 flu on the Stetson campus, we have had reports that some students on break for the summer have contracted the virus. We also know that there are several cases of the H1N1 flu in Volusia County. With the continued spread of the H1N1 flu, the University's Emergency Management Team encourages all faculty and staff to follow the guidelines below to help prevent and/or respond to H1N1 illness:

1. Prevention

• Wash your hands often during the day, and especially before eating or snacking.
• Use alcohol-based sanitizers as often as practicable. We have placed sanitizer containers in offices around the campus and in public restrooms on the campus. Please call ext. 8808 if you need a refill of sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible, especially when touching objects handled by others (door handles, mail, money, paperwork, etc.).
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away after using it.
• Do not share your food or drink with others.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• If there are cases of H1N1 flu among your friends or acquaintances (i.e., persons with whom you have close contact), consider wearing a mask over your mouth and nose to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

2. Symptoms

• The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu. They include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and, occasionally, vomiting and diarrhea.
• If you observe a fellow employee exhibiting these symptoms, encourage them to follow the advice given below.

For more specific information about the H1N1 virus, and for helpful planning suggestions, go to the official U.S. government web site at www.pandemicflu.gov/ .

3. In the Event of Illness

• If you develop flu-like symptoms, do not come to work. If you are well but you have a family member sick with H1N1 flu, you should go to work as usual. However, you should monitor your health carefully, and if you become ill with flu-like symptoms, please notify your supervisor and stay at home.
• Check with your health care provider about any special care you may need.
• If your doctor suspects H1N1 flu, stay home for seven days after the start of your illness and until the fever is gone.
• Get plenty of rest and drink clear fluids to keep from becoming dehydrated.
• Be watchful for emergency warning signs that might indicate you need to get additional medical attention.
• Communicate with your supervisor in your usual manner about your absence and your expected time of return to work. You should use accrued sick leave or vacation time as available to cover your time missed at work.

It is very likely that we will be dealing with flu on the campus this fall. In the event of an outbreak, employees are encouraged to wear face masks to help prevent the spread of the virus. Make sure you properly dispose of masks and gloves after wearing them around persons displaying flu-like symptoms.

Thank you for your cooperation with these guidelines. Please feel free to call the Human Resources Office if you have questions (386-822-8710).