H1N1
September 24, 2009
This is a special issue of Currently dedicated to campus H1N1 flu preparedness. This issue and its links may come in handy as the flu season progresses.
Currently is published every Monday during the academic year online and by e-mail to all faculty and staff listed in the PSU Web directory. News items should be sent to the Office of University Communications (mail code: UCOMM; e-mail address: currently@pdx.edu) by the Tuesday noon before publication.
Keeping PSU healthy
The entire campus community will be called upon to help as Portland State faces H1N1 flu virus outbreaks, said President Wim Wiewel at Fall Convocation, Sept. 22. Also know as the swine flu, the highly contagious H1N1 flu will require faculty and staff to be flexible and knowledgeable as they manage campus offices and classrooms.
The PSU Infectious Disease Planning Committee, composed of representatives from across the University, has been meeting since last year to develop a campus response plan. The committee is closely monitoring Center for Disease Control communications and is working in conjunction with the Multnomah County Health Department and the Oregon Department of Health and Human Services. Updates from these organizations appear on the Center for Student Health and Counseling Web site.
PSU is planning three levels of response based on the threat of the H1N1 virus on campus. First level strategies focus on prevention and containment of the virus. The second and third level strategies involve management of infected faculty, staff, and students and possible suspension of classes and activities on parts or all of the campus. The PSU Incident Command Structure, previously established as required by federal and state law, will be activated if there is a need to close buildings or suspend programs or activities on campus.
Symptoms
Symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to seasonal influenza: cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and fever of 100 degrees or more. Pregnant women, people under 24, and those with underlying health conditions seem to suffer more serious consequences and appear to be more at risk for the virus. For more information on symptoms, visit the Center for Student Health and Counseling Web site.
Prevention and Containment
The most important precautions for H1N1 flu are washing and sanitizing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home and encouraging others to stay home if they have flu-like symptoms. It is advised that people with the flu should stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever abates without the use of fever-reducing medications. Again, visit the Center for Student Health and Counseling Web site for more information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provides an exceptional recourse site on influenza.
The CDC is advising people to get both a seasonal flu vaccination and the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it is available. PSU employees and their dependents (age 12 and older) covered by the Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB) are eligible to receive a free seasonal (not H1N1) flu shot at a clinic held on campus Oct. 15. Contact Karin Wriggle at wrigglek@pdx.edu to reserve a time. Employees may also contact their insurance provider for flu shot information or purchase a vaccination from a retail pharmacy.
Managing the Workplace
The PSU Office of Human Resources has created a comprehensive Web site on workplace policies for staff and faculty in the event of illness due to the H1N1 virus. The policy includes instructions for supervisors, who can request that an employee leave for the day if he or she shows flu symptoms.
Supervisors may also encourage employees to work from home if feasible. A PSU Temporary Telework Policy explains the options; however, a Temporary Telework Agreement must be on file with the Office of Human Resources for employees prior to working off-site, unless a supervisor has provided express permission in the case of the school closure.
The site also includes information on pay, by employment category, during an absence from work.
The Office of Human Resources encourages faculty and staff to review their department's "Continuation of Operations Plan" or create one from a worksheet on its Web site.
Managing the Classroom
Faculty are encouraged to provide students with an information sheet on preventing the spread of flu, found under "Information Sheet for Syllabi" on the Center for Student Health and Counseling Web site. The site also includes a "Classroom Policy for Faculty." The policy asks that faculty regularly share updates from the Center for Student Health and Counseling Web site with students in their classrooms. Faculty have the authority to ask students with flu symptoms to leave their classroom but should make accommodations for the completion of work by ill students.
The Classroom Policy for Faculty suggests that faculty plan for alternative means to communicate with students, such as e-mails and Web sites. The PSU Office of Information Technologies is developing additional tools that can be found on its Web site.
In the event of a campus shutdown, PSU will issue specific guidelines, policies, and procedures on such things as course completion, grading, and financial aid.
