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H1N1 Virus Information
Millsaps College is implementing a proactive plan to anticipate and manage the H1N1 virus. Throughout the summer, the Department of Student Life and the Campus Emergency Protocols and Response Committee have closely monitored the H1N1 virus.
All communications from the College regarding the virus will be emailed to the campus community and posted on this page. To the right, you will see a link of helpful resources. Below you will find communications from the College regarding the virus.
If you have questions, please contact:
Carol Lowe, RN
Wesson Health Center
(601) 974-1207
H1N1/Flu Virus Updates
November 4, 2009
Dear Millsaps Community:
The Wesson Health Center reports that it still awaits the arrival of the H1N1 vaccine. The government indicates that supplies are ordered; we hope to acquire a shipment of the vaccine in the coming days.
Since our last alert, we have this additional information to report to you:
- In the unlikely event that campus operations, including academic classes, are suspended due to an H1N1 or seasonal flu epidemic, please refer to the “Academic Plan” for class-related information on the College website.
- Once we receive the H1N1 vaccine, the Health Center will notify students. Students between the ages of 18-24 are considered at ‘high risk’ for the H1N1 virus, thus earning priority for receiving the vaccine. Strongly consider getting inoculated unless you are allergic to the egg-based vaccine.
- “Meals On Wheels”, a program in which student and staff volunteers delivered all meals to ill residential students, remains in effect. If residential students contract H1N1 or seasonal flu, then contact Casey Holloway with your meal requests; please provide as much advance notice as possible for each meal. We commend Team Captain Casey Holloway and the volunteers: Sharon Yoo, Hannah Vick, Edgar Meyer, Hanna Olivier, Kelly Brignac, Summer Bailey, Niki Agho, plus Patrick Cooper and Tiffany Hammond.
- According to the Health Center, the seasonal flu season ‘begins’ at the end of October or beginning of November. Seasonal flu vaccine is available at local (Walgreen’s) pharmacies and at off-campus physicians’ offices. Please get inoculated unless you are allergic to the egg-based vaccine.
If you suffer from flu-like symptoms and/or confirm that you have a flu, including H1N1 flu, please:
- Notify your family, Resident Assistant, College Nurse Carol Lowe (974-1207), and/or Student Life administrators (974-1200 or 1206) immediately.
- In cases of emergency, dial 974-1234 for immediate College help.
- Confer with your family, family physician, or Wesson Health Center physician about medications, including TamiFlu or Relenza. The Center for Disease Control advises minimum exposure to TamiFlu because it may build resistance against fighting the virus; but it’s been reported to be highly effective against swine flu.
- Remain in your room. Don’t attend classes. Avoid eating in the Caf. Don’t practice with your athletic squad. Avoid fraternity and sorority chapter meetings, even during formal recruitment weeks. And, don’t spend time in common areas. Limit contact with others to avoid spreading the viruses for at least 48-72 hours after your fever ‘breaks.’
- If you remain in your room, notify your R.A. and/or Student Life so that we can send your meals to you (974-1200 or 974-1206). Or, write the “Meals on Wheels” Captain, Casey Holloway, who will request your menu/order and then arrange for personal delivery of the meals.
- Clean your room surfaces (as well as you can while ill). Disinfect and wipe all surfaces if possible, or ask your roommates and suitemates to do it, and, with alcohol or disinfectant as often as you are able.
- If you are extremely ill, we will contact your family for you or with you. Upon consulting with you and your family, we will decide the best location for you. If it is decided that you will not travel home or be admitted to a hospital, then College Housing/Residence Life may have a private room for your roommate, separate from the one shared with an ill roommate or suitemates.
- If you currently prescribe to other medications, ensure that your family helps you maintain your supply during your isolation.
And, we repeat below our preventive care announcements distributed last month. It’s most important for our students, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents to remain healthy, and to avoid contact with sick individuals. Our tips include:
- Get Vaccinated – the regular flu vaccine has arrived at your Wesson Health Center – it is $15.00/shot and the cost can be charged to a student of fac-staff person’s account if you don’t have the cash or check handy; just have your faculty-staff-student I.D. number at the ready. The H1N1 vaccine is not available yet; but if/when H1N1 vaccine is provided to Millsaps College, we will notify you!
- Consider whether you want to wear a surgical mask if you must be in close contact with a sick person. Without it, tissues must be used to contain germs if you’re sneezing, coughing, wheezing.
- Remain Healthy:
- Get plenty of sleep (students, that means more than 6.5 hours per night, not 6.5 hours per week)
- Be physically active (and if you use the HAC fitness equipment, please wipe it down with disinfectant before/after every use)
- Manage your stress (and visit the Counseling Center --- it’s FREE to students --- if you need guidance on how to manage your stress levels)
- Drink plenty of fluids (like water, not beer)
- Eat nutritious food (and the Caf staff will meet with you personally to design a diet)
- Avoid alcohol and drug abuse
Plus:
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective. Wash them repeatedly throughout each day!
- Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
- The Wesson Health Center is open now! If you are concerned about the swine flu, other forms of flu, or symptoms, consult with the staff. Your Wesson Health Center is located on the lower level of the Campbell College Center, near the post office. Call 974-1207 and ask for Nurse Carol Lowe.
- Read about H1N1, seasonal flu and sources of prevention. Information is available on television networks, talk radio, internet, and print media.
Be assured that Millsaps College will do all within its means to keep our faculty-staff-student community informed, healthy and safe during this international pandemic.
As future details arrive, we will communicate them. Stay well.
A votre santé,
Dean Katz & The Student Life Division
H1N1/Flu Virus Updates
September 23, 2009
Dear Millsaps Community:
The Wesson Health Center reports a significant drop in student visits for swine flu or flu-like symptoms since our last report. Only one student entered the clinic on Monday, September 21, with flu-like symptoms.
We thank all students who self-reported their visits to off-campus health care providers for flu or flu-like symptoms; the exact number was not recorded. The number of students with H1N1 flu or flu-like symptoms who visited the Wesson Health Center is approximately 163.
Since our last alert, we have this additional information to report to you:
- The Division of Institutional Advancement provided access to its “parents’ email distribution list.” Future announcements regarding the H1N1 virus/swine flu, seasonal flu, or other epidemic will be reported to the 400+ names on the parents’ distribution list within 24 hours of the college community receiving notification.
- “Meals On Wheels”, a program in which student and staff volunteers delivered all meals to ill residential students, was implemented. We commend Team Captain Casey Holloway and the volunteers: Sharon Yoo, Hannah Vick, Edgar Meyer, Hanna Olivier, Kelly Brignac, Summer Bailey, Niki Agho, plus Patrick Cooper and Tiffany Hammond.
- Student Life/Wesson Health Center is completing necessary documents with the MS Office of Public Health to obtain H1N1 vaccine once vaccine is available. We expect the H1N1 vaccine after mid-October, but we have no exact date. Researchers now report that only one injection is needed to vaccinate against the H1N1 virus. Our contact with the MS Office of Public Health reports that the vaccine is as safe as other flu vaccines; persons who are allergic to eggs should avoid the H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccines. The College can receive the early doses of vaccine because students are considered in the ‘special needs, high-risk’ category of persons 6 months-24 years old.
- According to the Health Center, the seasonal flu season ‘begins’ at the end of October or beginning of November. Seasonal flu vaccine is available at the Wesson Health Center at a cost of $15.00 per injection. The cost can be paid in cash, by check made to Millsaps College, or by charge to your student account. Please get inoculated unless you are allergic to the egg-based vaccine.
If you suffer from flu-like symptoms and/or confirm that you have a flu, including H1N1/Swine flu, please:
- Notify your family, Resident Assistant, College Nurse Carol Lowe (974-1207), and/or Student Life administrators (974-1200 or 1206) immediately.
- In cases of emergency, dial 974-1234 for immediate College help.
- Confer with your family, family physician, or Wesson Health Center physician about medications, including TamiFlu or Relenza. The Center for Disease Control advises minimum exposure to TamiFlu because it may build resistance against fighting the virus; but it’s been reported to be highly effective against swine flu.
- Remain in your room. Don’t attend classes. Avoid eating in the Caf. Don’t practice with your athletic squad. Avoid fraternity and sorority chapter meetings, even during formal recruitment weeks. And, don’t spend time in common areas. Limit contact with others to avoid spreading the viruses for at least 48-72 hours after your fever ‘breaks.’
- If you remain in your room, notify your R.A. and/or Student Life so that we can send your meals to you (974-1200 or 974-1206). Or, write the “Meals on Wheels” Captain, Casey Holloway, who will request your menu/order and then arrange for personal delivery of the meals.
- Clean your room surfaces (as well as you can while ill). Disinfect and wipe all surfaces if possible, or ask your roommates and suitemates to do it, and, with alcohol or disinfectant as often as you are able.
- If you are extremely ill, we will contact your family for you or with you. Upon consulting with you and your family, we will decide the best location for you. If it is decided that you will not travel home or be admitted to a hospital, then College Housing/Residence Life may have a private room for your roommate, separate from the one shared with an ill roommate or suitemates.
- If you currently prescribe to other medications, ensure that your family helps you maintain your supply during your isolation.
Be assured that Millsaps College will do all within its means to keep our faculty-staff-student community informed, healthy and safe during this international pandemic.
As future details arrive, we will communicate them. Stay well.
A votre santé,
Dean Katz
The Student Life Division
H1N1 Virus Updates
September 8, 2009
Dear Millsaps Community:
Between Monday, August 24 and Thursday, September 3, 44 students were treated at the Wesson Health Center for swine flu or flu-like symptoms. The numbers grow daily. Students are self-reporting their visits to off-campus health care providers. Thus, we believe the number of students with flu to be higher than 44.
Since our last alert, we have this additional information to report to you:
- Campus Programs/Maintenance distributed hand sanitizer to every building
- Campus Programs/Maintenance installed motion detector-activated paper-towel dispensers across campus
- Student Life distributed hand sanitizer bottles to all of its administrators
- Student Life has early-registered the College with the Mississippi Office of Public Health as an H1N1 vaccine administration site once the vaccine is available. We expect the H1N1 vaccine to be available to the state of Mississippi after mid-October, but we have no date on which it could be provided to Millsaps.
- Students are considered in the ‘special needs’ category of persons 6 months to 24 years old.
Please see our preventive care announcements below and instructions on what to do if you suffer from flu-like symptoms and/or confirm that you have a flu.
Be assured that Millsaps College will do all within its means to keep our faculty-staff-student community informed, healthy and safe during this international pandemic.
As future details arrive, we will communicate them. Stay well.
A votre santé,
Dean Katz
The Student Life Division
Millsaps Faculty Guide for Continuity of Course Instruction - DOWNLOAD (PDF)
September 2, 2009
This resource is designed to help faculty prepare to continue to teach their classes in the event that their classes need to be cancelled for a short time, due to prolonged personal illness or short-term college closure. While we are asking faculty to take the steps recommended in this guide to prepare for the possibility of a flu outbreak on campus during the 2009-10 academic year, these same steps may be useful in response to natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina.
H1N1 Virus Updates
August 29, 2009
Dear Millsaps Community:
On Friday, August 28, two students were treated off-campus and self-reported they had H1N1/swine flu.
The College’s Wesson Health Center reported on Friday, August 28, that 10-20 students were treated for flu-like symptoms.
If you suffer from flu-like symptoms and/or confirm that you have a flu, including H1N1/Swine flu, please:
- Notify your family, Resident Assistant, College Nurse Carol Lowe (974-1207), and/or Student Life administrators (974-1200 or 1206) immediately.
- In cases of emergency, dial 974-1234 for immediate College help.
- Confer with your family, family physician, or Wesson Health Center physician about medications, including TamiFlu or Relenza. The Center for Disease Control advises minimum exposure to TamiFlu because it may build resistance against fighting the virus; but it’s been reported to be highly effective against swine flu.
- Remain in your room. Don’t attend classes. Avoid eating in the Caf. Don’t practice with your athletic squad. And, don’t spend time in common areas. Limit contact with others to avoid spreading the viruses.
- If you remain in your room, notify your R.A. and/or Student Life so that we can send your meals to you (974-1200 or 974-1206).
- Clean your room surfaces (as well as you can while ill). Disinfect and wipe all surfaces if possible, or ask your roommates and suitemates to do it.
- If you are extremely ill, we will contact your family for you or with you. Upon consulting with you and your family, we will decide the best location for you. If it is decided that you will not travel home or be admitted to a hospital, then College Housing/Residence Life may have a private room for you, separate from the one you share with your roommate or suitemates.
- If you currently prescribe to other medications, ensure that your family helps you maintain your supply during your isolation.
And, we repeat below our preventive care announcements distributed last week. It’s most important for our students, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents to remain healthy, and to avoid contact with sick individuals. Our tips include:
- Get Vaccinated – the regular flu vaccine has arrived at your Wesson Health Center – it is $15.00/shot and the cost can be charged to a student of fac-staff person’s account if you don’t have the cash or check handy; just have your faculty-staff-student I.D. number at the ready. The H1N1 vaccine is not available yet; but if/when H1N1 vaccine is provided to Millsaps College, we will notify you!
- Consider whether you want to wear a surgical mask if you must be in close contact with a sick person. Without it, tissues must be used to contain germs if you’re sneezing, coughing, wheezing.
- Remain Healthy:
- Get plenty of sleep (students, that means more than 6.5 hours per night, not 6.5 hours per week)
- Be physically active (and if you use the HAC fitness equipment, please wipe it down with disinfectant before/after every use)
- Manage your stress (and visit the Counseling Center --- it’s FREE to students --- if you need guidance on how to manage your stress levels)
- Drink plenty of fluids (like water, not beer)
- Eat nutritious food (and the Caf staff will meet with you personally to design a diet)
- Avoid alcohol and drug abuse
Plus:
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective. Wash them repeatedly throughout each day!
- Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
- The Wesson Health Center is open now! If you are concerned about the swine flu, other forms of flu, or symptoms, consult with the staff. Your Wesson Health Center is located on the lower level of the Campbell College Center, near the post office. Call 974-1207 and ask for Nurse Carol Lowe.
Be assured that Millsaps College will do all within its means to keep our faculty-staff-student community informed, healthy and safe during this international pandemic.
As future details arrive, we will communicate them. Stay well.
A votre santé,
Dean Katz
The Student Life Division
FLU Vaccine has arrived
August 27, 2009
The Flu vaccine for this year has arrived!!!!! This is the regular flu vaccine and not the H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccine. The CDC has recommended that everyone receive the regular flu vaccine earlier than last year to build up immunity due to the threat of having both swine flu and regular flu. The Wesson Health Center hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:30AM-2:00PM. Wednesday 11:30AM-5:00 PM. I will also be in the Lobby of Bacot dorm next Wednesday 6-7Pm.
The cost of the vaccine is $15.00. This can be charged to your student account, payroll deduction, check (made out to Millsaps), or cash. Call if you have any questions.
Carol Lowe RN
Wesson Health Center
Phone: 601-974-1207
Fax: 601-974-1768
Message from Dr. Brit Katz about the H1N1 virus, Wesson Health Center Open
August 24, 2009
Dear students, faculty, staff and parents,
Like you, the College is concerned about the ongoing threat of H1N1 (swine flu) and other flu viruses. Let’s work together!
As you may know, flu can be spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at Millsaps College for as long as possible, but, we need your help to accomplish this.
We are working closely with the State of Mississippi health department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.
For now, we are doing everything we can to keep our institution operating as usual. Here are a few things you can do to help:
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective. Wash them repeatedly throughout each day!
- Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
- Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don’t go to class or work, but notify the College of your absences and of your flu symptoms.
- Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.
The Wesson Health Center is open now! If you are concerned about the swine flu, other forms of flu, or symptoms, consult with the staff. Your Wesson Health Center is located on the lower level of the Campbell College Center, near the post office. Call 601-974-1207 and ask for Nurse Carol Lowe.
R. Britton Katz
Vice President for Student Life
and Dean of Students
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