H1N1 (Swine) Flu
WNEC Health Services staff is closely monitoring and following the guidelines of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the CDC regarding Swine Flu. We are also working with local hospitals to be on alert for any suspect cases among students or area residents. If you are ill or have any concerns and would like to speak or be evaluated by a health care provider we are available to see you.
Check our web site often for the most up to date information. WNEC information will be updated weekly (see below).
For the most up to date national health information, go to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). For the latest information in Massachusetts, go to www.mass.gov/dph/swineflu. You can also view the H1N1 Massachusetts Public Health Fact Sheet.
The symptoms of H1N1 are similar to the regular flu: fever>100, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea.
Seasonal flu vaccination is the first line of defense. We recommend vaccination of all students and employees. WNEC will have seasonal flu vaccinations available. We will have Swine flu vaccination if it becomes available to us as well.
Prevention is a key component of decreasing the onset and spread of illness. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, and eyes. Avoid close contact with sick people. Sneeze into your sleeve, not hands, and wash hands after disposing of tissues. If you are ill, stay home from school or work, and avoid close contact with others.
November 13, 2009 Update
The last month has shown a slight resurgence of flu activity. These flu symptoms continue to be mild and seen primarily in the undergraduate population with a few law students also affected. Seasonal allergy symptoms and minor colds continue to be the main complaints seen on campus.
We have given a total of 200 doses of the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) nasal spray for H1N1 and 100 doses of inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine (flu shot) thus far. A campus wide email was distributed notifying the campus of availability and distribution process. We are now awaiting further promised shipment.
With regard to the seasonal flu vaccine, there continues to be a shortage at this point. We are still expecting to receive more doses in the future and will announce and distribute them as soon as possible.
Please continue to checking this website and email for vaccination availability and distribution updates.