Off Hill: First apparent H1N1 flu cases at UW reported

UPDATE 9:45 AM:
King County Health spokesperson Hilary Karasz said her department is monitoring the University of Washington situation but hasn't yet seen a significant upturn in reports of H1N1 in the Seattle area. The appearance of H1N1 on campus, Karasz said, was only a matter of time. "There have been multiple reports in the community all summer long," Karasz said. "With schools coming back, we expect to see more outbreaks."

Karasz said, so far, symptoms appear to be mild and on the scale of the typical seasonal flu. The big difference with H1N1, though, is the level of immunity in the community. Because it's a new virus, fewer of us have developed immunities to it and so, Karasz explained, more of us are going to get it. "It's a strong reminder to wash our hands and stay home if we're feeling sick," Karasz said.

Karasz also said that you can monitor the county's latest recorded totals of H1N1 incidents on http://www.kingcounty.gov/health/h1n1. She cautioned that the county is not currently requiring testing for the virus so there are many more cases that are not reported in the health department stats.

Original Report:
CHS received this e-mail bulletin sent out by the University of Washington's head of campus health reporting two probable cases of H1N1. According to the e-mail, the two students are residents of a campus sorority house. More than 2,000 students at Washington State University are reported sick with 'swine flu' but the Seattle Times reports that most suffered mild symptoms and only two had been hospitalized so far. UW's first day of instruction is September 30.

The King County H1N1 page has more information on prevention and local updates. Last spring, concerns about an H1N1 pandemic caused closures across Seattle including Capitol Hill's Stevens Elementary which was closed for four days after a student who was sick with the virus attended class.

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

            While a diagnosis has not been confirmed, the first apparent cases of novel H1N1 influenza have been reported to Hall Health Center from a sorority at the University. Sorority rush is beginning and many of the houses are active with returning sorority members and new students. Two cases of probable H1N1 flu have been identified in one house. The students were advised to return home and other members who may have been exposed have been advised to take necessary precautions, which include hand washing and use of hand sanitizers. They have also been advised to watch for symptoms of the flu and report cases to Hall Health.

            This is a reminder that we all need to refresh our H1N1 preparation. Information is posted at the Pandemic Flu website and on the Hall Health center web site  More information will be forthcoming in the coming week as we approach the start of the school year. In the meantime, the following guidelines should be observed:

1. If you are sick with a high fever and cough or sore throat, stay at home.  You may return to work or classes when you have not had a fever for 24 hours without taking fever-lowering medication.
2. If you are coughing, cough into a tissue or your sleeve if a tissue is not available.  Avoid coughing directly into your hand as everything you touch after this will have influenza virus on it.
3. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water OR hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

We will be monitoring the situation in the fraternity and sorority system and elsewhere on campus to see what kind of influenza transmission occurs. This is the leading edge of what we anticipate during the fall quarter. The virus thus far appears to be readily transmitted from person to person. It also appears to be relatively mild in intensity and people are recovering as the virus runs its course. We will keep you posted with further information as it becomes available. If you are at high risk for influenza complications () and have been exposed contact your medical provider.

Sincerely,

Jean Haulman, M.D.

Medical Director

Campus Health Services