No cases of the H1N1 virus have been reported on the Catawba College campus, but college administrators are wasting no time in their efforts to educate the campus population about the virus and take some preventative steps to halt its spread.

The college has created a page on its website, www.catawba.edu/flu, where information about H1N1 and other flu viruses can be disseminated. Staff in the Office of Students Affairs is preparing postcards for mailing this week to the parents of all enrolled day students and to students enrolled in the School of Evening and Graduate Studies. The postcards will share this web page address.

Meanwhile, nurses from the college health center will conduct informational meetings on campus for faculty and staff on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 10 and 11. Resident assistants will also be providing educational programming concerning the flu virus for students living on campus and will distributing and posting informational fliers.

Sullivan

"The most important thing we can do right now is what Catawba has a long history of doing — education  —  about what H1N1 is and how to prevent its spread," explained Catawba Dean of Students Dan Sullivan. "When the H1N1 vaccine is available next month, our plans are to provide the two-dose vaccine for free to all of our enrolled students."

Sullivan noted that his office is also taking the lead in ordering portable hand sanitizing units for the entire campus and preparing classroom kits for all professors which will include wipes, masks, hand sanitizer and tissues.

If there is a case of the H1N1 virus reported on campus, the infected party(ies) will be asked to stay isolated in their room or at home and not attend classes until they are symptom-free.

"By being proactive early in the school year and providing education about the virus and some preventive measures, we're counting on cutting our campus risk," Sullivan said. "Even though we're concentrating on H1N1 at this point in time, many of the measures we've put in place will benefit the campus when we enter the annual flu season."

RELATED CONTENT:

• www.catawba.edu/flu (Flu Information)
• Flu Advisory (staying healthy, symptoms, etc.)
• College Health Center
• Rowan County H1N1 Flyer (PDF)
• CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education