ASU officials address two confirmed Swine Flu cases on campus

July 10, 2009 -- Officials at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro have confirmed two cases of H1N1 influenza on campus. The H1N1 influenza strain is more commonly known as Swine Flu. The two confirmed cases are those of students who recently arrived on campus. Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor for Student Affairs at ASU-Jonesboro, said, “The two students are in isolation now, and they have been in isolation since they showed the first symptoms.”

Dr. Lonnie R. Williams, associate vice chancellor of Student Affairs, further noted, “In consultation with our local authorities (the Craighead County Health Department and the Arkansas Department of Health), we are following the Centers of Disease Control guidelines for dealing with the H1N1 virus.”

There are six other suspected cases of H1N1 influenza on campus, and according to Drs. Stripling and Williams, those students have been isolated and are being treated according to CDC guidelines.

When cases of the H1N1 virus first emerged in the United States in April, ASU-Jonesboro officials met with members of the Jonesboro Office of Emergency Management to build preparedness plans within guidelines of the CDC.

Flyers outlining Swine Flu precautions and instructions on what to do should members of the campus community develop symptoms are posted throughout the university. In addition, valuable information is posted online on the official ASU NewsPage:  http://asunews.astate.edu/SwineFlu09.htm.

Renata Vaughn, family nurse practitioner and director of the ASU Student Health Center notes, “Anyone can get the flu. Our campus population, however, does not contain large numbers of the groups at higher risk for serious flu-related complications. Segments of the population at increased risk are those under age five, over age 65, and women who are pregnant, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions.

“The Arkansas Department of Health tracks cases in our state,” said Dr. Deborah Persell, associate professor of nursing at ASU. “Their website, as well as the website for the Centers of Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/whatsnew.htm), has current information on the incidence of H1N1 in Arkansas and around the world. The Arkansas Department of Health (http://www.healthyarkansas.com/)  can also provide specifics of H1N1 in Arkansas, including information, resources, and guidance.”   

###