Dear Agnes Scott Parent or Guardian,

The academic year is off to a wonderful start here at Agnes Scott as we welcome the Class of 2013, one of the largest first-year classes in the college’s history.

As you know, schools and colleges around the world are preparing for a new wave of H1N1 flu cases this fall. We also anticipate seeing cases of the regular seasonal flu, as we do every year. I am writing to let you know what Agnes Scott is doing to protect your daughter’s health, and what you can do to support our efforts.

The good news is that as of today, Agnes Scott has no confirmed cases of H1N1. The Wellness Center on campus has seen only five cases of students with “flu-like” symptoms. Nurse practitioners at our Wellness Center examine and test students who present with fever, muscle aches, sore throat and runny nose. They are usually tested for strep throat and for Influenza A and B (H1N1 is a novel form of Influenza A). To date, no one has tested positive for influenza A or B.

We have developed a campus-wide plan for preventing or slowing the spread of H1N1 and for handling H1N1 cases. Key components of the plan include:

• Prevention education and encouragement—Students are being reminded about flu prevention techniques via e-mail, flyers, posters, brochures, Web-site links and one-on-one communications. You can find a summary of these techniques at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/toolkit/actionstepsstudents.htm. Student Health Services Director Carole Holcomb is sending two e-mails a week to the community to provide updates and remind people what they can do to prevent the spread of flu. Hand sanitizers were installed around campus last year, and we are placing sanitizing wipes in each classroom and computer room so students may clean their desk surfaces and computer keyboards before each use.

• Care through the Wellness Center—Students who feel ill should go to the Wellness Center located in Hopkins Hall. An ill student who goes to the Wellness Center will have her temperature taken, and if she has a fever will be given a mask to wear and quickly moved to an exam room that has been reserved for students with “flu-like” symptoms. Students who present with fever, muscle aches, sore throat and runny nose will be tested for strep throat and Influenza A and B. The Wellness Center staff will instruct students on what to do for their particular illness and can provide antiviral medications when appropriate. Wellness Center staff will also be distributing “Get Well kits.”

• Vaccinations—Regular flu shots for the seasonal flu are expected to be available starting the week of September 7. First priority will be given to high-risk students, faculty and staff. Students will be charged a nominal fee of $15 for a flu shot, which can be billed to their account. We strongly encourage students to get a seasonal flu shot.

• H1N1 vaccinations—A vaccination for the H1N1 strain of flu is expected to be ready in October, and the college is working on obtaining H1N1 vaccine for distribution.

• Class attendance—Students who are ill are asked not to attend classes if they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher. Professors will excuse flu-related absences. Professors are arranging for course materials to be posted on the electronic course site and preparing for continuation of their classes should they become ill themselves.

• Housing and feeding ill students—Students who are ill with H1N1 will be isolated by moving the healthy roommate temporarily into another room. We encourage students to have a “buddy” who can deliver meals, water, etc. to them if they become ill. College staff will also check in with ill students regularly.

• Contingency plans are in place to move students who are ill with H1N1 to specific campus locations if this becomes advisable to help prevent further spread of H1N1.

• Flu Information will be updated regularly on Agnes Scott’s emergency Web site, which you can access by clicking the “Emergency-Flu Info” button at the lower left-hand corner of the college homepage, http://www.agnesscott.edu or directly at http://emergency.agnesscott.edu. Please check these links first for updates.

• You can help!
  • Encourage your daughter to eat properly, get enough sleep and to use flu prevention measures in her daily activities.
  • If your daughter develops flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle aches, sore throat and runny nose), encourage her to go to the Wellness Center.
  • If she develops a fever, especially of 100 degrees or higher, remind her not to go to class and to avoid social contact as much as possible.
  • If your daughter does develop influenza and lives close to Agnes Scott, we encourage her to go home to recover. We hope you and your family can assist her with transportation and TLC.
  • Send her a care package of goodies—especially if she should become ill.

We are so pleased that you and your daughter are members of the Agnes Scott College family. I encourage you to check the “Emergency—Flu Info” button on our homepage for updates, and wish all of us a happy and healthy semester!

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