News Marlboro College Statement - H1N1 Flu

February 2, 2010

Dear Students -

We at Marlboro College continue to monitor developments regarding H1N1 flu (known initially as swine flu). Our planning and prevention efforts are focused on keeping the campus community as healthy as possible while maintaining College activities and services.

While highly contagious, the majority of H1N1 cases at this point have been mild; however, this flu -like the seasonal flu that is seen each year - can be dangerous, particularly for people with underlying health conditions including asthma, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, hepatic disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.

If you currently are experiencing any flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and in some cases diarrhea and vomiting, we ask that you delay your return to campus until at least 24 hours after you are free of a fever (100F), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. It is important that you stay in communication with us if this is the case by calling Ken Schneck, the dean of students, at 802.258.9238 or e-mailing him at kschneck@marlboro.edu.

During the school year, students with flu symptoms should avoid contact with others and call the Total Health Center for assistance at x335. You should NOT physically go to the Health Center, as doing so could expose the medical staff and others in the community to H1N1. When you call, the Health Center staff will use a series of diagnostic questions to determine what further care and actions are needed. For cases in which there is a possibility of H1N1 infection, students will be directed to health care services and helped to leave campus in order to ensure the health of our small community where one infection could easily (and rapidly) spread.

If it is possible for you to go to your permanent residence, this is the first and preferable response. If this is not a possibility, you will be encouraged to relocate to the location you indicated on your Personal Evacuation Plan (located at http://www.marlboro.edu/resources/emergency/evacuation_plan). If you have not yet filled out the form, please do so now.

If neither of the above options works for you, we will work with you to come up with another option that ensures both your health and that of the Marlboro community.

One of the keys to preventing the spread of infection is informed communication. If you suspect you might be ill during the school year, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Health Center staff.

We ask that you bring with you to campus your own digital thermometer and recommend that you bring tissues and alcohol-based hand sanitizer for your room.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued the following guidelines for reducing the spread of flu:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hand.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick stay home and keep away from others as much as possible.

We will continue to send updates as more information becomes available.

Ken Schneck
Dean of Students

Re Gorham
Director of Health Services