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H1N1 on rise, especially at Ohio?s colleges
By Dave Larsen, Staff Writer
Updated 12:56 PM Sunday, October 4, 2009
DAYTON ?
Nobody expects it to go away anytime soon.
Swine flu cases surfaced at several Southwest Ohio colleges and universities just as students arrived for fall classes, and the illness is expected to spread in coming weeks, said Dr. James Turner, president of the American College Health Association.
"I'm assuming based on past pandemics a four- to six-week wave, but it might be longer," Turner said.
Ohio colleges and universities reported 104 new cases of influenza-like illness for the week ending Sept. 25, a 13 percent increase from the previous week, according to the association
Nationally, 21,130 cases of influenza-like illnesses have been reported to the association from a total of 3.1 million students, with 37 students hospitalized and no reported deaths.
More than 6,000 new flu cases were reported on campuses nationwide last week.
Most cases are presumed to be H1N1 because about 98 percent of the samples isolated from patients over the past several months have tested positive for the virus, Turner said.
Not all schools report illnesses to the association. Miami University in Oxford has seen about 400 students suspected of having swine flu, said Gail Walenga, assistant vice president of student health and wellness.
Miami freshman Matthew Healey, 18, of Boston, died Sept. 26 at University Hospital in Cincinnati after an illness, according to school officials. The Ohio Department of Health could not confirm that Healey's death was related to the H1N1 virus.
The Midwest is at the start of a wave, Turner said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we had two or three separate waves this academic year," he said. "It's going to be a long year."
Regional variations in attacks of any viral infection are common, he said. It depends on where students have been and whether they've imported the virus onto the campus.
"I would expect it would become very widespread over a period of several weeks," Turner said. "It just is going to take some time."
College students are at significant risk for swine flu, according to the association. Shared living space in campus residence halls makes it tough to isolate sick students.
Students who are too sick to attend class are getting help at schools such as Miami University.
"We've worked with the provost's office and the academic affairs people to be sure that the faculty recognizes that this is an unusual event and modify as best they can some of their grading requirements to accommodate truly sick students," Walenga said.
The University of Dayton has reported two presumptive H1N1 cases this fall.
UD has a "vigorous campaign" to promote good health and hygiene practices, including frequent hand-washing, using hand sanitizers, and proper coughing and sneezing techniques, according to Dr. Mary Buchwalder, university medical director.
Wright State University has had eight students report flu-like illness since classes started Sept. 8. "The flu-like cases have been mild, lasting about three days, and none have required hospitalization," said Leatha Ross, director of student health services.
In contrast, Central State University has not seen any suspected swine flu cases, according to Fran Robinson, university spokeswoman.
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n...specially-at-ohios-colleges-330032.html?imw=Y
By Dave Larsen, Staff Writer
Updated 12:56 PM Sunday, October 4, 2009
DAYTON ?
Nobody expects it to go away anytime soon.
Swine flu cases surfaced at several Southwest Ohio colleges and universities just as students arrived for fall classes, and the illness is expected to spread in coming weeks, said Dr. James Turner, president of the American College Health Association.
"I'm assuming based on past pandemics a four- to six-week wave, but it might be longer," Turner said.
Ohio colleges and universities reported 104 new cases of influenza-like illness for the week ending Sept. 25, a 13 percent increase from the previous week, according to the association
Nationally, 21,130 cases of influenza-like illnesses have been reported to the association from a total of 3.1 million students, with 37 students hospitalized and no reported deaths.
More than 6,000 new flu cases were reported on campuses nationwide last week.
Most cases are presumed to be H1N1 because about 98 percent of the samples isolated from patients over the past several months have tested positive for the virus, Turner said.
Not all schools report illnesses to the association. Miami University in Oxford has seen about 400 students suspected of having swine flu, said Gail Walenga, assistant vice president of student health and wellness.
Miami freshman Matthew Healey, 18, of Boston, died Sept. 26 at University Hospital in Cincinnati after an illness, according to school officials. The Ohio Department of Health could not confirm that Healey's death was related to the H1N1 virus.
The Midwest is at the start of a wave, Turner said. "I wouldn't be surprised if we had two or three separate waves this academic year," he said. "It's going to be a long year."
Regional variations in attacks of any viral infection are common, he said. It depends on where students have been and whether they've imported the virus onto the campus.
"I would expect it would become very widespread over a period of several weeks," Turner said. "It just is going to take some time."
College students are at significant risk for swine flu, according to the association. Shared living space in campus residence halls makes it tough to isolate sick students.
Students who are too sick to attend class are getting help at schools such as Miami University.
"We've worked with the provost's office and the academic affairs people to be sure that the faculty recognizes that this is an unusual event and modify as best they can some of their grading requirements to accommodate truly sick students," Walenga said.
The University of Dayton has reported two presumptive H1N1 cases this fall.
UD has a "vigorous campaign" to promote good health and hygiene practices, including frequent hand-washing, using hand sanitizers, and proper coughing and sneezing techniques, according to Dr. Mary Buchwalder, university medical director.
Wright State University has had eight students report flu-like illness since classes started Sept. 8. "The flu-like cases have been mild, lasting about three days, and none have required hospitalization," said Leatha Ross, director of student health services.
In contrast, Central State University has not seen any suspected swine flu cases, according to Fran Robinson, university spokeswoman.
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/n...specially-at-ohios-colleges-330032.html?imw=Y