A commitment to a healthy fall

Nov. 4, 2009

 Warren County Health Department and Monmouth College
will sponsor a Free H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinic
Tuesday November 10, 2009
2:00pm-6:00pm

Monmouth College
Huff Fieldhouse
Monmouth, IL 61462
(No appointment necessary)

This clinic is only for the following priority groups:

• All children* and students through 24 years of age

• Persons aged 25-64 years who have chronic health conditions, excluding high blood pressure,that increase the risk of complications from H1N1

• All faculty and staff, including contracted services (e.g., dining service, safety/security, bookstore & counseling)

• Immediate household members of all faculty and staff and contracted services employees who fall in the following priority groups

  • Children under the age of 24 years

  • Persons aged 25-64 who have chronic health conditions

*This clinic is not for children 9 years and younger needing the second dose

Please contact Molly McNamara at 457-2362 for additional information

Oct. 26, 2009

MONMOUTH COLLEGE FLU CASES REMAIN RELATIVELY LIGHT

While colleges and universities nationwide have recently reported spikes in the number of reported cases of influenza, the incidence of infection at Monmouth College remains relatively mild.

According to dean of students Jacquelyn Condon, there are currently only five active cases of flu-like symptoms among MC students. Since the college began formally monitoring flu reports on Sept. 8, she said, the total number of reported cases (among approximately 1,250 students living on campus) has been approximately 50, or 4 percent of the student population.

“We’re not through the critical period yet, but so far the signs are encouraging,” Condon said. “Considering that in an ordinary year, 5 to 20 percent of the general population contracts the flu, we have been extremely fortunate.”

Condon believes that an aggressive campus prevention campaign may have had a role in keeping the virus at bay. “Every segment of the campus community has been educated about how to avoid contracting the flu and how to keep it from spreading,” she explained. “We have also greatly stepped up our daily sanitation efforts and installed more than 60 Purell hand-sanitizing stations across campus.”

A seasonal flu vaccination clinic was held on campus earlier this month, with all of the available doses dispensed. The college is still waiting to hear when the H1N1 vaccine will be made available to Monmouth students. Supplies of that nasal spray remain in short supply nationwide.

 

September 11, 2009

The Monmouth College Office of Student Affairs reported today that there are currently 10 students on campus who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The office, which is heading up a campus-wide effort to minimize potential influenza outbreaks, said that as of yet there are no diagnosed cases involving the H1N1 virus, and that relatively speaking, the flu situation is currently under control. Affected students are isolating themselves or leaving campus until their symptoms have subsided. Food service is assisting by delivering meals to individual students upon request.  Current cases have been confined to fewer than half of the college’s residence halls.

Five previous flu cases, reported between Sept. 1 and 4, are believed to have run their course. The college continues to aggressively sanitize the campus, with 65 new hand-sanitizer stations installed by this morning. Vaccinations for seasonal influenza will be given on campus beginning on or about Oct. 1. Vaccine for H1N1 is expected to be available on campus by the middle of October.

 

September 10, 2009

LETTER TO PARENTS

As many of you are aware, extra precautions are being taken nationwide to avoid the flu and the H1N1 virus this year.  Since last spring, a committee has been meeting on campus to discuss how we can all work together to keep the campus healthy.  The Warren County Health Department meets with us regularly and provides us with timely updates and suggested response information.  Students receive regular information regarding the flu and ways to stay healthy as well as ways to manage illness via fliers and the web. In addition, information is posted throughout the campus in academic buildings, offices and the living units. To address the issues, students have received two fliers concerning staying healthy.  Residence hall staff members are facilitating dialogue about staying healthy and managing the flu through floor meetings regarding healthy living practices.

Based on the Center for Disease Control recommendations, the following suggestions for staying healthy were given to all students:

1.     Get the SEASONAL FLU VACCINE

• Available on campus on or about October 15^th

• Small fee

• This is NOT the H1N1 vaccine

• All vaccinations are encouraged but voluntary

2.     Follow the 3 Cs

• CLEAN: Wash your hands FREQUENTLY and avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth

• COVER: Cover your cough and sneeze into a tissue or sleeve

• CONTAIN: STAY IN YOUR ROOM or GO HOME until you recover

3.     Get the H1N1 vaccine

• Available on campus on or about October 15^th

• Small fee

• College students are on the priority list to receive the vaccine

4.      If your roommate or a friend is ill

• Distance yourself physically and clean your room regularly

• Do not drink or eat after him/her

• Follow the 3 Cs

• Use hand sanitizer

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE ILL?

1.     If you have any of these symptoms STAY IN YOUR ROOM or GO HOME until you recover: Cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever

2.     Seek medical attention if you have the following: (CAB NUMBER  734-6369)

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen

• Dizziness or confusion

• Persistent vomiting and unable to keep liquid down

• Flu symptoms improve but return with fever and cough

3.     AVOID DIRECT PHYSICAL CONTACT with your roommate and others to protect them from catching your illness

4.     Consider going home to recover if appropriate

5.     Note that you may be ill for approximately 7 days

6.     Email or call RESIDENCE LIFE at reslife@monm.edu  (457-2113) AND your RA to let them know you are ill.  Professors will be informed that you have reported in with the flu.

7.     Email FOOD SERVICE at cvancara@monm.edu or kfornero@monm.edu before 5PM each evening you are ill and meals will be delivered to your residence hall/house lounge

8.     Arrange to have a friend pick up your meals from the residence hall/house lounge/lobby at 8AM, 12noon and 5PM and leave at your door

9.     Do not return to class or normal activities until you are fever free for 24 hours and have no other symptoms

10. Drink plenty of fluids

11. For additional information go to www.monm.edu  and http://www.flu.gov./

As the year progresses, we will continue to keep our students updated regarding the flu season.  Thank you for your continued help in reminding your son or daughter about the importance of staying healthy. 

Sincerely,

Jacquelyn Condon
Vice President for Student Life
and Dean of Students

 

August 31, 2009

How to stay healthy:

1.     Get the Seasonal Flu Vaccine

• Available on campus on or about October 15

• Small fee

• This is NOT the H1N1 vaccine

• All vaccinations are encouraged but voluntary
  

2.    Follow the “3 C’s”:

• CLEAN - Wash your hands FREQUENTLY and avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth

• COVER - Cover your cough and sneeze into a tissue or sleeve

• CONTAIN – Stay in your room or go home until you recover
  

3.    Get the H1N1 vaccine

• Available on campus on or about October 15

• Small fee

• College students are on the priority list to receive the vaccine
  

4.     If your roommate or a friend is ill

• Distance yourself physically

• Do not drink or eat after him/her

• Follow the 3 Cs

• Use hand sanitizer

• Clean your room regularly

•  

If you become ill:

1.    If you have any of these symptoms STAY IN YOUR ROOM or GO HOME until you recover:

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny nose

• Fever
  

2.    Seek medical attention if you have the following:
(Phone number for cab ride to Clinic: 734-6369)

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen

• Dizziness or confusion

• Persistent vomiting and unable to keep liquid down

• Flu symptoms improve but return with fever and cough

3.    AVOID DIRECT PHYSICAL CONTACT with your roommate and others to protect them from catching your illness

4.    Consider going home to recover if appropriate

5.    Note that you may be ill for approximately 7 days

6.    Email or call RESIDENCE LIFE at reslife@monm.edu  (457-2113) AND your RA to let them know you are ill. Professors will be informed that you have reported in with the flu.

7.    Email FOOD SERVICE at cvancara@monm.edu or kfornero@monm.edu before 5PM each evening you are ill and meals will be delivered to your residence hall/house lounge.

8.    Arrange to have a friend pick up your meals from the residence hall/house lounge/lobby at 8 a.m., 12 noon and 5 p.m. and leave at your door.

9.    Do not return to class or normal activities until you are fever-free for 24 hours and have no other symptoms.

10. Drink plenty of fluids.

11. Watch this Web site for updated information.

August 7, 2009

With the start of another academic year right around the corner, Monmouth College is committed to making it a healthy one.

Because health authorities have warned about a potentially more virulent outbreak of the H1N1 virus this fall, particularly on college campuses, Monmouth has taken an aggressive stance in developing a comprehensive pandemic flu plan. The four-part plan includes the following components:

• Communication and Education
  An informational card about flu prevention and treatment has been prepared and will be distributed to all members of the campus community. Among its recommendations are that anyone who develops flu-like symptoms should stay home from work or class, and that alcohol-based hand sanitizers be used regularly. Educational posters are being placed in restrooms across campus, and the college Web site will be updated regularly with information from the Warren County Health Department, the Illinois Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. The athletic trainer will meet with all fall sports teams to provide educational information, and students planning to study abroad will also be briefed about preventive measures.
  
•  Prevention
  The college food service is prepared to implement special contingency plans, should an outbreak occur. The degree of implementation would be determined by the seriousness of the outbreak. Information about proper hand washing has been posted at lavatories across campus. Maintenance workers will aggressively wipe down desks, doorknobs, shower floors and similar areas with disinfectants on a regular basis.
  
• Response Procedure
  In the event of a flu outbreak, a comprehensive procedure has been developed to limit the spread and duration of the disease. Employees from all college departments will have varying roles, depending on their particular responsibilities. Among the possible duties are collecting data, setting up a medical site, changing work schedules and canceling extracurricular events.
  
• Ongoing Response Team
  A team composed of key college administrators and support personnel will meet regularly to review and evaluate potential health threats and develop new procedures.

Please continue to watch the Monmouth College homepage for important updates about the H1N1 virus and tips for staying healthy.