October « 2009 « H1N1 Information and Prevention

Archive for October, 2009

Update: First UW-Madison employee seasonal flu clinics begin Monday, feature nasal spray

October 30, 2009, 1:10 pm

The University of Wisconsin-Madison will offer daily seasonal flu vaccination clinic for employees this year beginning Monday, Nov. 2, running through Friday, Nov. 13. In a change from previous years, only the nasal spray version of the vaccine will be available at the November clinics, with delivery of the injectable version now expected in early December.

The university was advised by Home Health United, its vaccine supplier, that there have been delays in deliveries of the injectable version of the seasonal influenza vaccine. In response, the university has scheduld additional employee flu vaccination clinics in December, to accommodate the later injectable delivery date.

To view a calendar of all scheduled clinics, download the calendar. For more information, call Environment, Health and Safety at (608) 265-5000.

Posted in Campus updates, Faculty and staff info, Health precautions

Office Hours: H1N1 Myths and Facts

October 28, 2009, 4:10 pm

Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player.

Posted in Faculty and staff info, Health precautions, Student info

Handwashing video

October 28, 2009, 4:10 pm

Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player.

Posted in Health precautions

First student H1N1 vaccination clinic postponed; seasonal flu vaccine still available

October 28, 2009, 12:10 pm

Due to a nationwide delay in shipments of H1N1 vaccine, University Health Services (UHS) has postponed a large-scale H1N1 vaccination clinic originally scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3. As soon as sufficient vaccine is delivered, all students will be notified via email as to when and where they can get vaccinated.

“We recognize this delay is frustrating to students,” says Sarah Van Orman, executive director of University Health Services. “But we still expect to receive plenty of vaccine. It will just take a little longer than we had hoped.”

As of Oct. 27, 407,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine had been allocated to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) for statewide distribution. With less vaccine available than had been expected at this date, DHS issued new distribution recommendations that focus on groups considered to be most at risk of complications. Read more »

Posted in Campus updates, Health precautions, Student info

ILI cases trend upward at UHS in Week 8

October 27, 2009, 6:10 am

Evaluations for influenza-like illness (ILI) increased noticeably at University Health Services (UHS) for the first time in six weeks. In week 8 of the semester (Oct. 18–24), UHS evaluated 74 students with flu-like symptoms. ILI visits represented 6.5 percent of all visits to the primary care clinic. The previous week, there were 49 ILI diagnoses, and ILI visits made up 4.2 percent of primary care visits.

“We’re seeing ILI activity increase across the State of Wisconsin,” says Craig Roberts, UHS epidemiologist. “The national surveillance network indicates an increase in activity as well.”

“Particularly as we start to see more illness, it’s important to keep up those practices of frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if you have any symptoms,” says Sarah Van Orman, M.D., executive director of UHS.

Halloween presents a special challenge this year, with the potential for thousands of people traveling to Madison to join the celebration. Read more »

Posted in Campus updates, Health precautions

49 ILI evaluations by UHS in Week 7

October 20, 2009, 9:10 am

In week 7 of the semester, University Health Services (UHS) evaluated 49 students with influenza-like illness (ILI). Between Oct. 11 and Oct.17, ILI encounters represented 4.2 percent of all visits to the primary care clinic. In week 6, there were 43 ILI encounters, representing 4.6 percent of visits.

The campus received its first delivery of H1N1 vaccine on Oct. 14, enough to begin vaccinating people who fall into the CDC’s “occupational risk” target groups. For details, click here.

If deliveries continue on schedule, the first large-scale student vaccination clinic is planned for Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Memorial Union’s Tripp Commons. Six large-scale clinics are tentatively scheduled for November and early December. Other clinic locations would be the SERF and the Natatorium. An email with other important details will go out to all students as soon as the vaccine is available and plans are finalized. Read more »

Posted in Campus updates, Health precautions

First doses of H1N1 vaccine arrive on campus

October 15, 2009, 8:10 am

University Health Services (UHS) received its first delivery of H1N1 vaccine on Oct. 14.

In keeping with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ phased vaccine distribution plan, UHS will use this initial shipment to start vaccinating people who are considered an “occupational risk” for accidentally transmitting influenza in the course of doing their jobs. People in those roles will receive an email notification of the time and location for receiving their vaccine.

The “occupational risk” category includes primarily health care workers who have direct patient contact. On campus, this also includes a large number of health professional students including medical and nursing students who have direct patient contact along with student volunteers at UW Hospital. Read more »

Posted in Campus updates, Faculty and staff info, Health precautions

H1N1 at UW-Madison: Update for parents

October 14, 2009, 11:10 am

The following article is included in the October edition of the UW-Madison Parent Program Newsletter.

UW-Madison had prepared for the possibility that the fall semester would include an outbreak of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, based on predictions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All these planning efforts were put to the test when record numbers of students with flu symptoms began contacting University Health Services (UHS) during the very first week of classes.

During the first three weeks, more than 700 students — most under age 25 — were evaluated by UHS for flu-like symptoms and the H1N1 virus was indicated in most cases. Approximately 85 percent lived in off-campus housing and 15 percent in the residence halls.

“It started earlier than anyone had anticipated,” says Sarah Van Orman, executive director of UHS and chair of the campus committee on pandemic influenza planning. “Fortunately, many people already knew what they could do to help during an outbreak, and they sprang into action.” Read more »

Posted in Health precautions, Parent info

43 ILI evaluations by UHS in Week 6

October 13, 2009, 7:10 am

In week 6 of the semester, University Health Services (UHS) evaluated 43 students with influenza-like illness (ILI). Between Oct. 4 and Oct.10, ILI encounters represented 4.6 percent of all visits to the primary care clinic. In week 5, there were 58 ILI encounters.

“Influenza activity on campus seems to be pretty quiet right now,” says Sarah Van Orman, M.D., executive director of University Health Services, “looking at both activity in the clinic and anecdotal reports.”

“But as the temporary closing of the Wisconsin Dells school district last week demonstrated, H1N1 influenza is still active in the state. And it can still be very disruptive to people’s schedules and to school operations.”

Van Orman will appear tonight on WSUM radio to talk about the flu season so far, how H1N1 has affected students, and UHS’s plans for H1N1 vaccination clinics. “On Wisconsin” airs on WSUM 91.7 FM on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m.

UHS services are available to all enrolled UW–Madison graduate and undergraduate students. For an appointment or urgent medical advice, call (608) 265-5600.

Link to Week 6: Oct. 4-Oct. 10, 2009 (PDF)

Posted in Campus updates

UW-Madison releases new H1N1 poster designs

October 8, 2009, 10:10 am

UW-Madison has created two posters for the campus community, designed to promote awareness of “best practices” in preventing or recovering from influenza.

The first poster, “Hand Washing,” is an illustration of the recommendation that handwashing is effective in stopping the spread of most viruses, including influenza. The second, “Recovery,” is a reminder that the best way to prevent the spread of flu is to stay home and to avoid going to class or work. Both are designed to be displayed in common spaces around campus and to keep a focus on healthy habits.

The UW-Madison community already has a high-level of awareness of H1N1. As a result, the posters were designed to be memorable, even without the use of a lot of language on them.

Posters are currently being distributed to building managers via Facilities, Planning & Management. Departments or units may also request them by calling (608) 262-8287, or in 27 Bascom Hall.

Posted in Health precautions

H1N1 Information and Prevention

Global navigation

Main Navigation

Languages

Related links

Main Content