at Colorado State University
Campus Updates
Updated November 20, 2009
H1N1 influenza (also known as 'swine flu') has hit the CSU campus, with more than 650 presumptive cases of H1N1 influenza have been seen at the CSU Health Network. Cases have been mild to moderate and there have been no hospitalizations.
H1N1 influenza (also known as 'swine flu') has hit the CSU campus, with more than 550 presumptive cases of H1N1 influenza have been seen at the CSU Health Network. Cases have been mild to moderate and there have been no hospitalizations.
H1N1 influenza (also known as 'swine flu') has hit the CSU campus, with more than 300 presumptive cases of H1N1 influenza have been seen at the CSU Health Network. Cases have been mild to moderate and there have been no hospitalizations.
H1N1 influenza (also known as 'swine flu') has hit the CSU campus, with approximately 60 presumptive cases seen so far at the CSU Health Network Clinic. Cases have all been mild to moderate, and there have been no hospitalizations.
Colorado State University has developed an extensive plan to address a potential pandemic of flu on campus. The plan was developed about three years ago as part of a campus-wide effort. The plan is being adjusted to accommodate the traits of H1N1, which is expected to be relatively mild compared to other strains of the flu that could reach pandemic levels such as avian influenza.
The Larimer County Health Department has announced that the first two cases of novel H1N1 influenza (also called swine flu) were confirmed on Wednesday, June 10. Two Larimer County siblings (ages in the 10-15 year range) were confirmed to have novel influenza H1N1. They were seen as outpatients in their physician’s office and were not hospitalized.
As of June 5, there were 75 confirmed cases of novel H1N1 flu in Colorado. There have been no deaths so far in Colorado. The June 10 cases are the first confirmed in Larimer County but do not indicate an increase in local flu activity or severity according to Dr. Adrienne LeBailly, director of the Larimer County Department of Health.
On June 11, the World Health Organization declared Pandemic Phase 6, the highest threat level (full pandemic) possible. But, according to local public officials, this action means little to the U.S. or to Larimer County.
"The move to Phase 6 is really an alert that the spread of the novel H1N1 virus is now expected to spread throughout the world," said LeBailly. "It alerts those nations where the virus has yet to arrive to expect they’ll eventually see cases and need to be prepared to respond."
"The declaration of a pandemic is based on geographic spread, not severity of the illness," LeBailly stressed. "So far, the new H1N1 virus has been relatively mild, and this declaration does not indicate it is becoming more severe. Its severity is roughly comparable to seasonal flu, though the number of cases is highly unusual for this time of the year."
The Public Safety Team will continue to work with health officials to monitor the local situation.
The Public Safety Team is continuing to keep up on the latest information about the H1N1 flu, and at this time no disruptions to events or classes are planned or expected to be necessary. The university’s leadership has been in constant communication with health officials and, at this time, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Safety and the Larimer County Department of Public Health and Safety are recommending that we treat this flu the same as we would treat any seasonal flu.
We are aware that our neighbors at the University of Colorado have identified three possible cases of the H1N1 flu. CU officials also are following recommendations of local health officials and are not taking extraordinary measures.
The Public Safety Team will continue to work with health officials to monitor the local situation. At this time, there are no anticipated changes to the end of semester schedules and activities.
Finals week and graduation celebrations are expected to continue as planned.
We do expect that individuals with H1N1 with a connection to CSU, such as students or employees, may be identified in the future, although there are currently no suspect cases affiliated to the university. However, since this flu at this time does not appear to be more severe than a regular seasonal flu, according to health experts, we’ll continue to treat it as such.
Again, we urge students, faculty and staff to take prudent measures such as washing their hands, covering their coughs and staying home when they are sick. Students will be required to make up any missed finals or class work per university rules related to illnesses.
Faculty and staff are also expected to stay at home if they are ill.
As news of the current outbreak of H1N1 flu, also being called "swine flu," continues to unfold, CSU's Public Safety Team is monitoring the situation closely and will keep the campus updated on any changes that potentially would affect the day-to-day operations of the University.
At this time, there is no cause for heightened concern on campus, although we encourage everyone to take the usual precautions to stay healthy during flu season: wash your hands regularly, stay home if you feel sick, and cover your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze.
Updates regarding H1N1 flu will be posted on the University’s safety website at www.safety.colostate.edu. While local health officials have not reported any local health incidents, CSU is working closely with health department officials from Larimer County and the state of Colorado who are watching closely for any potential local cases.
University health and safety staff are well prepared to manage this and other types of emergency situations that potentially could affect our campus. Following is some background information that might help address questions you have about campus flu planning.
Approximately two years ago, CSU completed a comprehensive pandemic flu plan. While this current situation with H1N1 is not considered a pandemic, the University’s pandemic plan is useful in addressing the current situation and preparing for possibilities should cases of this flu be reported locally or on campus. A copy of the University’s plan is available for review at www.safety.colostate.edu.
Should an outbreak eventually occur in Larimer County, University health and safety officials will work with county and health officials and follow guidelines set forth by the Larimer County Department of Public Health and Environment. In the event the University were to make decisions about cancelling classes, suspending public events, or taking other precautionary measures based on the pandemic plan and recommendations from local health officials, the CSU community would be notified through:
At this point, the Public Safety Team is highly recommending the following preventative measures outlined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control:
These are good health measures to follow at this or any other time, and as a member of the University community, please take responsibility for your own health and the health of others by following these precautions.
According to health officials, the current H1N1 outbreak is spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced by coughing or sneezing or through contact with droplets on surfaces such as doorknobs. Health officials note individuals cannot catch this flu by eating pork products or being in contact with live swine in the United States. Currently there is no evidence that this strain of flu can be passed to people through contact with live swine in the United States.
Symptoms of this flu are typical and include:
This flu may also include the symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.
For the most up-to-date and accurate health information about this flu, we recommend the following sources:
Students with any health concern questions should visit Hartshorn Health Services on campus, or call Hartshorn staff at (970) 491- 7121.
Local health officials remind us that this is a good time to think about personal and family preparedness for this or any other potential emergency. Some very useful information about this topic is available online at www.readycolorado.com.
The University’s Public Safety Team will continue to monitor the situation, and will inform campus if there are significant concerns or additional precautions advised regarding swine flu.
By now, you're probably aware of the national discussion about the recent spread of swine flu and illnesses in Mexico and the United States. The federal government has issued a public health emergency so that appropriate resources can be accessed if needed. Governor Ritter today also has taken the precautionary measure of requesting Colorado's allotment of antiviral medication from the federal stockpile.
In the context of these precautions, it is important to note that at this time, no cases of swine flu have been reported or documented in Colorado, and no deaths from this flu have been reported within the United States. Cases in the United States have been reported as mild, however, severe swine flu illnesses and deaths have been reported outside of the country.
Swine flu is not caused by eating pork. All of the cases of swine flu in the United States have been transmitted by human to human contact.
The University’s Public Safety Team is monitoring the situation and keeping abreast of the updates. In addition, the team is reviewing the University’s plan, already in place, for an atypical influenza outbreak. State and federal officials have reassured us that there is no need for alarm.
The Public Safety Team is offering the following reminder regarding some general precautions, as would be recommended during a regular flu season:
As a member of the University community, please take responsibility for your own health and the health of others by following these precautions.
Infectious period for confirmed cases of swine flu is 1 day before onset of illness to 7 days after onset of illness. The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to seasonal flu symptoms. They symptoms include:
Some people with swine flu also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Like seasonal flu, anyone with underlying chronic medical conditions may be more seriously impacted by swine flu.
Anyone who is planning international travel should check with the U.S. Department of State for the most up-to-date travel advisories.
For more information about the flu, call the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment hotline between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week, at 1-877-462-2911. Please also refer to the Centers for Disease Control website for information, which will be regularly updated, at www.cdc.gov/swineflu. Updated information is also available on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website at www.cdphe.state.co.us.
Students living in residence halls may talk with their residence staff who have access to more information from Hartshorn Health Services. Students with any health concern questions, as always, can call Hartshorn staff at (970) 491-7121. Students also can visit Hartshorn Health Services on campus.
The University’s Public Safety Team will continue to monitor the situation, and will inform campus if there are significant concerns or additional precautions advised regarding swine flu.