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The cases of H1N1 on the Luther College campus have risen to 34 since last week. That's according to Luther College Director of Public Information Jerry Johnson, who reported as many as 33 students on the Luther College campus and one staff member have self-reported their H1N1 symptoms on a special Web site set up by the College in order to track the outbreak. Johnson said following three confirmed cases of H1N1 Monday, the College stopped testing for H1N1, as per the Center for Disease Control guidelines. Following the detection of three cases, the CDC operates under the assumption that a particular population has the H1N1.

Isolated

According to Johnson, the college gave those who self-reported symptoms two options: to isolate themselves in their dorm rooms on campus, or to travel home. Their roommates have been offered the option of alternate lodging during the five to seven days the person with symptoms is contagious. Of those self-reporting, Johnson said seven of the 33 students have opted to travel home, and the rest are in self-isolation on campus, where the college is working to provide them with meals and ongoing monitoring. "The upside is that the symptoms are mild, so no one has required hospitalization," Johnson told Decorah Newspapers Tuesday afternoon. "The downside is that because the symptoms are mild, some people are not aware they are sick, so they don't isolate themselves."

Johnson added with more than 30 students reporting symptoms, the college is operating under the assumption the entire campus has been exposed. "We're handling it well, and this situation has provided us with a mild test for our preparedness and response plan," said Johnson. Nancy Sacquitne, RN, BSN, Winneshiek County Public Health, said since H1N1 has arrived in the community, the public needs to "look at the best approach to protect yourself and your families."
http://www.decorahnewspapers.com/main.a ... leID=20625

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-ia-ui-swineflu,0,5250991.story

IOWA CITY, Iowa - According to estimates, more than 150 UI students, and perhaps as many as 200, may have exhibited symptoms similar to those of swine flu.

The estimate based on the number of patients at UI Student Health Service is unofficial, because the university has suspended testing for the virus.

200 at UI might have H1N1 flu

IOWA CITY -- According to estimates, as many as 150 UI students have exhibited symptoms similar to those of H1N1 flu.

The estimate based on the number of patients at UI Student Health Service is unofficial, because the university has suspended testing for the virus.

Ann Laros, interim medical director of the health service, said since the seasonal flu season starts later in the year, officials are assuming all people with flu-like symptoms have the H1N1 virus.

School officials are recommending that students not go home.

http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=256643

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University of Northern Iowa health officials have yet to diagnose a case of the H1N1 influenza virus on campus, but say they are prepared should the strain hit the school.

State health officials have confirmed more than 200 cases of H1N1, informally known as swine flu, since the virus first appeared in late April. More suspected cases are surfacing daily.

The Daily Iowan newspaper Friday reported between 150 and 200 suspected cases were found on the University of Iowa campus. Luther College has another 25 or more possible instances. At least one possible swine flu related death has been reported in Iowa.

"We are seeing students who are worried they may have it. They come in wanting confirmation, but none of them have even met the testing criteria," said Shelley O'Connell, director of the Student Health Clinic. The University Hygienics Laboratory in Iowa City developed the testing algorithm, which doctors are supposed to use when determining whether or not to test for H1N1, for the entire state.

So, for now, health officials and residence hall leaders are working together to inundate students with information about good hygiene, flu prevention and available resources should they fall ill.

In addition to offering 1,000 students a free traditional flu shot, the health clinic also has created flu kits that are being distributed to the residence halls and are available in the clinic. The kits include an over-the-counter cold and flu medicine, antihistamine, tissues, hand sanitizer, digital thermometer, lip balm and mask. Students also are being asked to find a "flu buddy," or someone they can send out to pick up medicine or food should they begin to show flu-like symptoms.

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2009 ... 710035.txt

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The H1N1 virus is showing up on college campuses across Iowa, and it is spreading fast.

The University of Iowa may have up to 200 cases. Luther College may have as many as 30. The virus is also found at Central College, Iowa State and Drake University.

That's forcing colleges and universities to act fast to stop the spread and educate students.

Health officials at Drake University are prepared to stop the spread of the H1N1 flu. They have a response team that is meeting regularly to ensure that the virus doesn't take over campus.

This semester, Drake University students are getting an unexpected lesson in health. The spread of the H1N1 flu has university health officials on high alert.

"For this particular flu, the h1n1, college-aged students 19-24 are in the prime age group for susceptibility," said Raylene Rospond with the Drake College of Pharmacy and Health Science. "Close living in resident halls enhances the spread of disease."

The university has developed a plan to hopefully keep the virus from spreading on campus. Students with symptoms are asked to call the health center instead of going to it. If it is possible that they have the flu, the university asks students to isolate themselves in their dorm room.

http://www.kcci.com/health/20921567/detail.html

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Bettendorf Schools say they have confirmed one case of H1N1 at Grant Wood Elementary. The student was not in school when diagnosed, and has recovered and returned to school. So far, they do not know about any other cases.

Staff is now cleaning and sanitizing the school. They're also asking that when parents call in to tell the school a student is sick that they give two symptoms. They also want any student with a fever to stay home.

Meantime, at Saint Paul the Apostle School in Davenport is making preparations to deal with the possible outbreak of the H1N1 virus. There are about thirty teachers on staff at the school. If those teachers were to contract the virus, substitute teachers would be called in.

Administrative Assistant Claire Coughlin is making a list of substitutes who would be available to teach in case some of the permanent teachers get sick. She has almost 20 names on that list.

The administration recommends that all teachers and staff get vaccinated. The school is still working on a plan for vaccinating children. Parents would have to give their permission.

Saint Paul the Apostle School will also have surgical masks in stock for students who get sick with the virus. Those students will be removed from class and taken to the school office. They will be isolated there, wearing a mask, while waiting for a parent to take them home.

All the people coming in contact with those students would also wear masks as a safety precaution

http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=11151621

CEDAR FALLS — State health officials on Thursday confirmed the first case of H1N1, or swine flu, at University of Northern Iowa.

University health officials tested a male student living off campus in a Cedar Falls apartment earlier this week. He is now without symptoms and is cleared to return to classes, said Bruce Meisinger, disease surveillance manager for the Black Hawk County Health Department.

“The student took appropriate measures of seeking help from UNI health services, and self-confined himself to his room until he was feeling well for 24 hours,” Meisinger said.

UNI has moved up its five vaccination clinics for season influenza up to next week, said university spokesman Jim O’Connor. The shots are free for all students.

UNI is at least the third Iowa university or college to have a suspected or confirmed case of the virus. Both Luther College and the University of Iowa have reported between 25 and 200 suspected or confirmed cases on their campuses.

Hospitals and clinics are reporting an unusually early start to the flu season. No schools have reported widespread absences, Meisinger said.

The public is strongly encouraged to receive seasonal flu vaccines, because it will help protect against H1N1, he said.

“If your immune system is compromised from season influenza, you’re at that much more risk for H1N1,” he said.

H1N1 has thus far resulted in mild to moderate symptoms, Meisinger said. Those with underlying health conditions — particularly respiratory illnesses such as asthma — are at greater risk.

H1N1 vaccines will be available in mid-October at the earliest, according to Centers for Disease Control.

Until a full supply is available, it will be administered to these priority populations: Pregnant women; households with infants younger than 6 months; children less than 4 years old; health care providers with direct patient contact; and all children with underlying risk factors.
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2009 ... 897818.txt

re-post to go to school Specific report:

West Des Moines Iowa schools have confirmed case of H1N1 (Polk County)
REGISTER STAFF REPORT • September 25, 2009

West Des Moines school officials on Friday notified families that an elementary student in the district has a confirmed case of the H1N1 flu virus.

In an e-mail message to parents, officials said Phenix and Hillside are the schools most directly affected by the diagnosis.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/articl ... 25033/1125