Over 70 Suspected H1N1 Flu Cases

By SUSANNAH CLARK

The Health Center has confirmed over 70 cases of H1N1-flu-like symptoms on campus, many of which were confirmed on Monday and Tuesday, according to Douglas Searcy, vice president for student affairs.
Searcy is on the Emergency Management Team, a group of administrators appointed by President Judy Hample to address the University’s response to the H1N1 outbreak. The group met yesterday afternoon to discuss the administration’s plan of action.
According to Searcy, the Health Center experienced a dramatic increase in student visitors on Monday and Tuesday.

“Prior to these past two days, H1N1 cases have been sporadic,” Searcy said on Tuesday evening. “Yesterday and today, however, the health center treated over twice as many students as normal.”

Symptoms of H1N1 include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.

Thomas Riley, university physician and director of the Health Center told the Bullet in September that when the Health Center confirms these symptoms, “it is 97 percent likely” that the student has H1N1 flu.

Searcy urged students to continue to take the precautions laid out by the University.

“Keep using hand sanitizer, wash your hands with soap, and make sure to self-isolate when you’re feeling sick,” Searcy said. “If symptoms persist or you experience shortness of breath, you should seek additional medical treatment.”

The administration plans to send out an e-mail to all students and faculty with more information about the flu-like cases some time in the next few days.