FYI: H1N1

As the fall semester began, many college students around the country encountered an unwelcome visitor to their cam- puses: the H1N1 influenza virus. Lewis & Clark was no exception. As of mid-November, nearly 200 patients had sought treatment at Student Health Services for flulike symptoms, assumed
to be a result of H1N1. Kris Kerstiens, a student in Lewis & Clark’s Graduate School of Education and Counseling, died of complications from H1N1 flu.

Lewis & Clark is taking a proactive approach to dealing with the H1N1 flu virus concerns, including creating an H1N1 operations committee to develop communications for faculty, staff, and students; setting protocol for dealing with cases of flu among both students and employees; and identifying actions and strategies in the event the flu becomes more severe.

Over the course of the fall semester, Lewis & Clark has held three seasonal flu vaccine clinics. In addition, the college is continuing its efforts to secure the H1N1 vaccine, which will be distributed through Student Health Services for priority groups as defined by county health officials.

“We are in the throes of a busy flu season with both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus,” says Osmond. “We must be flexible due to the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic and how it is presenting itself in our community.”

On the Web:
go.lclark.edu/H1N1