September 3, 2009

Dear ECU Students:

We write to update you on East Central University's intervention plan regarding the H1N1 flu virus (also known as the swine flu). Please know that your well-being is of upmost importance. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu and will continue to be proactive in our response.

For many years, East Central has had emergency plans in place to address wide-ranging campus issues and health concerns. We have extended these preparedness efforts in order to respond to possible H1N1 flu cases on our campus. In fact, we most recently held a Summit to address the campus' specific response, with representatives from Student Health Services, Housing & Residence Life, Food Services, Marketing & Communications, Physical Plant, Academic Affairs, and Student Development. We also included faculty members from our Environmental Health Sciences Department and Nursing Department. In addition, we receive regular input from the Pontotoc County and Oklahoma State Health Departments.

As you may know, flu can be spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at East Central for as long as possible, but we need your help to accomplish this.

We encourage you to take the following flu/respiratory disease precautions based on  CDC  and Oklahoma Health Department recommendations:

  • Avoid contact with ill persons
  • Cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or elbow (not the uncovered hand)
  • Throw used tissues in the trash
  • Do not share food, drink or utensils
  • Wash the hands with soap and water frequently -- particularly after  sneezing -- or use an     alcohol-based hand gel
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Be physically active
  • Drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food
  • Manage your stress (attend class, work ahead, avoid procrastinating, etc.)

If you develop symptoms of flu while on campus please visit Student Health Services. If you are at home when symptoms develop, please remain there. The symptoms of flu are fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. If you are ill with flu you will be advised to go home and remain there until you are without an elevated temperature or temperature-free (without medication that would lower temperature) for 24 hours. You also may experience a flu-like illness, its symptoms include mild fever (below 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or no fever and may still have cough, sore throat or both -- if you experience these symptoms, you should remain out of class and at home until you have been temperature-free for 24 hours. A mild, lingering cough may occur. Barring any other flu symptoms, this cough should not prevent you from returning to class.

If you have been in contact with someone who has flu, onset of the viral symptoms can take up to three (3) days. If you experience any flu symptoms within this time period, please stay at or return home to limit the spread of the virus.

You should be vaccinated for the seasonal flu, which is a separate vaccination from the H1N1 flu shots. ECU Student Health Services will be offering flu shots in October -- you should look for the flyers posted on campus notifying of dates and times. Talk with your health providers about whether you should be vaccinated for H1N1 flu, which is a two shot series and separate from the seasonal flu vaccination. People at higher risk for H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes).

If this year's flu season becomes more severe, we may take the following additional steps to prevent the spread of the virus:

  • Allow students, faculty, and staff at higher risk for complications to stay home. These students, faculty, and staff should make this decision in consultation with their health care provider.
  • Find ways to increase social distances (the space between people) in classrooms such as moving desks farther apart, leaving empty seats between students, holding outdoor classes, and using distance learning methods.
  • Extend the time sick students, faculty, or staff stay home or in their residence. During severe flu conditions sick people should stay home for at least seven (7) days, even if they feel better sooner. Those who are still sick after seven (7) days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have gone away. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
  • Suspend classes. As a very last resort in dealing with a very severe outbreak this decision will be made together with local and state public health officials. The length of time classes should be suspended will depend on the goal of suspending classes as well as the severity and extent of illness.

Please know that if you must miss classes because of flu our faculty are committed to working with you to make up missed class work. Your  well-being is of vital importance to us. Please notify the Dean of Student's Office (580-559-5628 / meleped@ecok.edu) or the Office of the Vice President for Student Development (580-559-5208 / bblkburn@ecok.edu) if you are ill with flu.

For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit http://www.flu.gov/, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

We will post any additional information and/or changes to ECU's strategy to prevent the spread of flu on our campus on our campus website, http://www.ecok.edu/.

Sincerely,

 

John R. Hargrave
President