By Benjamin Engle
While all suspected swine flu cases in Schenectady and Albany counties, according to the Schenectady and Albany Departments of Public Heath, have far tested negative, Union College is being proactive in ensuring the health of its students, faculty, and staff.
First detected in Mexico City in early April, swine flu, otherwise known as “H1N1,” is an epidemic of a new influenza virus that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is “a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs.”
While Swine flu does not result in high death rates in pigs, the virus is currently spreading through humans across the world. According to the World Health Organization, as of May 4, 21 countries have officially reported 1085 cases of the H1N1 virus. Of the 21 countries, Mexico has 590 confirmed cases as well as 25 deaths. One death has occurred in the United States of 286 confirmed cases. Of those 286 cases, there are 73 people with the virus in New York State. According to the Associated Press, the cases in New York State have mild.
In response to the swine flu infection, the Director of Union College Health Services, Sharron McCullough, emailed a swine flu notification to the Union community on Wednesday, April 19. The email, according to McCullough, was to inform the community of how the infection outbreak worldwide is affecting Union. A similar email was sent to Union parents on May 1.
“First, it’s important not to overreact. Classes and all College business continue as normal,” McCullough wrote in the email to the campus. “We do not have any known cases of swine flu. Nevertheless, all campus community members should be taking common-sense precautions to avoid getting sick or transmitting an illness.”
According to McCullough, Health Services has been taking a proactive approach in alerting the campus relating to H1N1 and preparing for any cases on campus. Union Health Services has been in daily contact with the Schenectady Health Department and is working with the Health Department on numerous issues and are instrumental in what actions Union takes regarding the situation.
“We are asking students to call Health services (388-6120) and report any symptoms they feel are related to the flu,” McCullough said in an interview with the Concordiensis. “These are fever over 100 degrees, sore throat, runny nose and congestion, body aches, [and] any recent travel to Mexico. Occasionally vomiting and diarrhea have been reported but may not necessarily relate to the flu. It is important not to go to class if feeling ill.
However, other universities and colleges have not been spared from the infection of the H1N1 virus. UDaily, the news service of the University of Delaware, as of May 4, reports that there are 20 confirmed cases of the flu strain on its campus. Additionally, some institutions have closed for the semester, including Harvard Dental School and Texas Wesleyan University.
McCullough, however, believes that Union’s trimester schedule has lowered Union’s risk for an outbreak.
“I actually feel we are at more of an advantage since our Spring break was earlier than other colleges,” McCullough said. “We were back at school when other students were ‘vacationing.’”
While Union is at an advantage, McCullough does not believe that students, faculty, or staff should not ignore the current flu outbreak.
“I think everyone should be concerned but taking precautions such as washing your hands and using your elbow to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing is most important,” McCullough commented. “Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of pure water and [getting] rest are your best defenses against becoming ill.”
Additionally, Union’s Facilities Services Department has taken steps in ensure the health and safety of the campus community.
According to Rich Patierne, Manager of Building Services and Work Order Systems, Facilities is responding to the H1N1 virus in a proactive fashion.
“Our cleaning staff has been instructed to make a more concentrated effort to cleaning all bathroom fixtures, hand rails, door knobs, and common spaces,” Patierne said. “We have also started the process of installing hand sanitizers in the buildings.”
Even though Union is taking preventive actions against swine flu, McCullough reassures that the H1N1 strain of the flu is not necessarily health threatening.
“Most healthy people recover from the flu and don't have serious complications, but some people such as the older people, young children and certain people with health conditions are at a higher risk for serious flu related complications,” McCullough said. “The best defense is to vaccinate against the flu. Health Services has a flu clinic the first two Thursdays in November. We are trying to outreach to our students to protect them against contracting the flu.”
Originally published in Union's Concordy on 5/6/09
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