Nearly 300 receive H1N1 vaccinations

In a week during which 12 new cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) among students on campus were recorded, Health Services also reports that 291 students were inoculated with H1N1 vaccine during a recent on-campus clinic.

Skidmore has recorded a total of 160 students with ILI since the start of the academic year, with 12 of those cases recorded between Nov. 6 and 13. In addition, a total of 67 faculty/staff have reported ILI since September, with 18 of those cases recorded between Nov. 9 and 12.

The College's first shipment of H1N1 vaccine was administered to students last week. E-mail notification and registration were provided for clinic participants, and it was a "very successful" event, according to Patricia Bosen, clinical director of Health Services. Additional clinics will be announced when new vaccine shipments arrive.

The College's Health Services Office continues to maintain an ILI log, using the case definition provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Skidmore is reporting all patients that meet the influenza-like illness definition unless diagnostic tests confirm a cause other than influenza. Health Services is obtaining information for the ILI log from both students seen in the on-campus office and students phoning to report illness.

Despite the growth in the number of cases reported, the treatment remains essentially the same. Students are being urged to self-isolate and undertake measures for their own care, including taking over-the-counter fever/pain-reducing medicine, and staying hydrated. Students are asked to enlist the help of friends/roommates to obtain food and fluids at the dining hall. Health Services is providing Tamiflu for those who meet the criteria. It is recommended that students wait until they are fever-free for 24 hours without medication before resuming a regular schedule.

Incidence of Flu: Symptoms of flu include fever of at least 100 F and a cough and/or sore throat. Some students have exhibited additional symptoms including runny nose, body aches, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Skidmore's Emergency Management Team continues to work closely with the Saratoga County and New York State health departments to monitor Novel H1N1 (swine) influenza conditions and to respond to concerns surrounding the flu this year. For now, Skidmore is operating as usual.

Updates will be provided via e-mail and Web announcements. For more information about the College's response to the H1N1 virus and ways to reduce risk, please visit Skidmore's Pandemic Plan Web site.