2009 H1N1 (swine) Flu and Seasonal Influenza Prevention and Treatment

updated Oct. 26, 2009

Health System

• In order to help manage the spread of seasonal and H1N1 flu and provide more access for patients, the University of Virginia Health System has established the U.Va. Flu Screening Clinic to see adult patients with flu-like symptoms.
• The U.Va. Flu Screening Clinic is located at 1222 Jefferson Park Avenue. Current hours are Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but hours are subject to change, so check back here for the most current information as needed.
• The Health System also has established a flu hotline (243-7389 or 1-888-882-7990). This service will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is available to help provide answers to questions regarding the flu and when and how to get treatment.

Students and Student Health

• As of late morning Oct. 26, 2009 Student Health reported 566 U.Va. student cases of influenza-like illness since Aug. 22, 2009. This number represents students living both in residence halls and off Grounds. In early October, Student Health estimated that there are 50 to 60 reported active cases at any one time, although there are undoubtedly others that have gone unreported. There have been no student hospitalizations, and students are recovering well.
• Since Oct.19, the daily clinic visits due to ILI have increased by 30 per cent. It is unclear if this increased activity will sustain itself in the coming days.

Information campaigns

• The Elson Student Health Center Web site includes comprehensive information and links to American College Health Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu sites, as well as a frequently updated tally of the number of influenza-like illnesses reported among students since Aug. 22, 2009 There are links to messages to resident assistants, students, parents and faculty: http://web.virginia.edu/sthealth/H1n1/h1n1main.asp
• The University’s home page includes a link to an emergency page with comprehensive information on the flu, links to the VDH and the CDC pages and downloadable posters on flu prevention. http://www.virginia.edu/emergency/h1n1.html
• 10,000 static stickers with flu prevention information distributed around Grounds - posted on mirrors and glass doors.
• Advertisements on University Transit Service buses with flu information, including symptoms.
• Stall Street Journal in restrooms includes flu information.

Immunization

• One more immunization clinic has been scheduled for all students. Pre-entrance required immunizations such as measles/mumps/rubella and tetanus/diphtheria, as well as seasonal flu vaccines will be offered. The clinic is scheduled Nov. 5, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Newcomb Hall Ballroom (H1N1 injectable vaccine likely will NOT be available.)
• Two other dates have been identified, depending on vaccine availability: Nov. 21 and 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alumni Hall. Further information will be forthcoming.
• The Health System continues to immunize employees against the 2009 H1N1 flu strain.
• Free seasonal flu shots were provided to Academic Division faculty and staff at locations throughout Grounds. Approximately 4,580 Academic Division employees have been vaccinated against seasonal flu to date; this is up from last year’s total of 4,181. 2009 H1N1 immunization will be provided to faculty and staff - dates and locations TBA.
• The Health System also provided free seasonal flu vaccine to employees. The program started the week of Sept. 14, 2009, and by end of day Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, had vaccinated 5,639 employees, well over 50 percent of the workforce. The goal is 100 percent vaccination.

Residence Halls

• Resident advisers have been trained and have been provided with first aid kits that include thermometers.
• The University is following CDC guidelines regarding isolation and has had this approach confirmed by the local health department. Because of the generally mild nature of this flu, quarantining sick students is no longer recommended by the CDC. A student whose roommate has the flu has the following options: a) move in with friends for a few days until the roommate is fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-lowering medication or b) remain in the room and follow the CDC guidelines as other students with sick roommates have done. The University does not have housing capacity for temporary isolation of sick students or temporary housing for well roommates.
• Additional room disinfection is arranged through a program jointly begun last year by the Housing Division, Office of Residence Life and Student Health. The voluntary notification system, initiated by a student report to the RA, communicates the type of illness and location so that additional disinfection can be arranged. The individual who is ill is not identified.
• Housing also has placed instant hand sanitizer dispensers in offices, at mail room locations and in lounges and gathering spaces.
• Housekeepers are taking special care and increasing frequency in cleaning high-touch surfaces such as door knobs and push plates.

Classes

• Faculty are asked to reinforce the message to students to stay home should they develop influenza-like illness.
• Faculty are asked NOT to require a doctor’s note - most cases are handled by phone to contain the outbreak, and requiring a student to leave isolation to get a note exposes countless others to the flu.
• The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost has posted faculty resources for teaching during a flu outbreak, with tools to use in the event it becomes necessary to continue instruction without traditional class meetings. http://manuals.itc.virginia.edu/preparedness/

Dining Services

• Offers a to-go meal or a special Flu Relief Bundle (FRB) to sick students. A roommate, friend or flu buddy takes the student’s ID and a note that permits them to pick up a meal, with the choice of dining room food or an FRB. The FRB contains two four-ounce juices, two packs of broth, a Jello cup and three snack packs of saltines.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers updated or added in dining areas.
• ARAMARK has developed an H1N1 toolkit -- based primarily on information from the CDC - for food service management teams. The kit includes specific procedures related to preventing the spread of disease as well as instructions on how to continue to safely serve infected populations and deal with employees who might have symptoms.
• For food service staff, hand washing and personal hygiene stations in service areas are frequently checked to ensure they are adequately stocked and accessible.
• ARAMARK staff also are encouraged to increase the frequency of hand-washing and to follow CDC recommendations for personal hygiene.
• Posters in student common areas in dining facilities reinforce the importance of personal hygiene.

Libraries

• Hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed at the entrances of Alderman, Clemons and Brown libraries.

Intramural Recreational Sports

• Provides sanitizing wipes in dispensers throughout fitness facilities for patrons to use on hands, weight bars, cardio machine panels, stretching mats, etc. Introduced two years ago during the MRSA (staph) outbreaks nationally as a precautionary measure.
• Distributed 1,000 small containers of hand-sanitizing gel attached to faux carabineers and a re-order of 2,500 more. These are refillable and are designed to provide patrons with both a tool and an idea to purchase more and keep a supply with them throughout the flu season.
• Posted signs with the 2009 H1N1 warnings and recommendations received from Student Health at the entrances to facilities.

Facilities Management

• Housekeepers taking extra care and increasing frequency in cleaning high-touch surfaces.
• Housekeepers checking restrooms twice a day to be sure soap dispensers are fully stocked.