Getting prepared for the new school year may include more than buying books and sharpening pencils.
Students at The University of Western Ontario are encouraged to fend off the H1N1 influenza virus by adding prevention strategies to their back-to-school checklist.
The number of Ontario residents with confirmed cases of the virus is in the thousands, but locally the numbers remain relatively low and the severity of the cases have been mild. Health officials expect the virus to return in a mutated or stronger version in the fall, the same time as populations skyrocket on university campuses.
During a pandemic it is possible that 35 per cent or more of Western students could be ill with the H1N1 virus at a given point in time, says Associate Registrar Glen Tigert. This could have a significant impact on academic activity including the scheduling of classes, tutorials and even examinations.
“Our advice is that students should continue to monitor the Western home page, Western News and their Western email account regularly for the latest updates on the H1N1 virus and the university’s response,” says Tigert.
He adds if class schedules are changed, lectures cancelled or exams impacted, instructions for students will be communicated via the university’s website and by an email to each student.
Throughout the summer, universities across the country have taken advantage of the quiet months to revisit their pandemic plans.
Much work has been done at Western in response to the World Health Organization’s elevation of the pandemic alert to its highest level, phase 6, but university officials remind students, faculty and staff many things can be done on an individual level to reduce one’s risk of contracting the virus.
Western’s pandemic planning committee meets regularly to discuss the status of the viral outbreak and to refine preparations for a possible epidemic on campus. The university, in consultation with the Middlesex-London Health Unit, continues to monitor the H1N1 influenza situation.
The H1N1 influenza virus is spread by droplets from sneezing or coughing and it can live on inanimate objects for up to 48 hours. An increased number of people in close quarters of a classroom, residence or dining area may increase the risks of the virus spreading.
By their design, Western residences are ‘high density’ in nature, with more than half of the residence rooms being double accommodation. By the time flu symptoms are evident, the individual will already have been contagious for more than 24 hours.
Susan Grindrod, Associate Vice-President of Housing & Ancillary Services says during the move-in process the university will be asking students whether or not they’re able to return home in the event that they become ill or if a pandemic should arise.
For those that remain in residence who are ill, residence staff will be present on each floor (all of whom are first-aid certified) and the Student Emergency Response Team will be available for those whose symptoms present greater concern.
“The residences will take a proactive role in awareness of flu symptoms and when to seek treatment,” says Grindrod. “The residences intend to remain open for those that are unable to return home, including those that may be international students, from out of province, or those for whom returning home is not a viable option.”
Western encourages members of the community to remain diligent in practicing proper hand washing, use of hand sanitizers with a minimum of 70 per cent alcohol base, washing surfaces, and covering the mouth and nose area when sneezing.
Avoid contact with those who are sick and stay home if you experience symptoms, such as such as headaches, fever, muscle aches, coughing, sneezing or general flu-like symptoms.
Western has created a microsite dedicated to the H1N1 influenza and updates on how the virus is affecting the university community will be posted on this site (https://communications.uwo.ca/influenza-microsite/), as well as on the Daily News Service on the Western home page at www.uwo.ca.