Small Town News

Swine flu case reported at Northwest College

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Like numerous colleges across the country, Northwest College has confirmed an incidence of the H1N1 influenza virus (swine flu) among its students.

The infected student, who lives in one of NWC's five residence halls, reported to the college's Student Health Center during the latter part of the first week of classes (Aug. 24-28) with symptoms that suggested the onset of influenza. Roxie Herman, NWC's Student Health Service manager, referred the student to Powell Valley Healthcare for testing.

Herman was notified about the H1N1 confirmation as she was traveling out of state over the Labor Day weekend. College administrators then began implementing a proactive response and communication plan.

The student is now fully recovered and once again attending classes.

While the college is not anticipating an epidemic, it is encouraging students and employees to help prevent the spread of the virus by practicing good hygiene.

"We're telling them to avoid close contact with people who are sick," Herman said, "and to stay home themselves if they're sick. Other preventive habits are to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, clean your hands often, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and practice other good health habits like getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food.

"There's no reason to panic. Just be smart. People should be washing their hands anyway."

The college's multi-pronged response calls for college custodians to increase their attention to cleaning bathrooms and public spaces. Disinfecting wipes will be provided to all employees for disinfecting surfaces that draw contact (keyboard, phones, door handles, etc.). In addition, 3,000 bottles of hand sani-tizer have been ordered and will be distributed across campus

Employees who exhibit flu symptoms (elevated temperature, body aches, cough, sore throat, chills, etc.) will be sent home. Nine study rooms in residence halls will be converted, if necessary, into self-isolation rooms for students exhibiting flu symptoms. Those students will receive meals in their isolation rooms instead of at college dining facilities.

The college is also taking steps to ensure continuing coverage of key campus services, including housing, maintenance, custodial, business office/payroll, switchboard, security, food service and Web site. NWC's food service provider, Aramark, has already implemented a H1N1 flu toolkit, which establishes protocols for Aramark employees to follow based on the frequency and severity of the H1N1 virus.

A NWC flu update page with resource links has been added to the college's Web site. It can be found at http://northwestcollege.edu/info/flu.dot.



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© 2009 Basin Republican Rustler Basin, Wyoming. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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