JCCC responds to H1N1 flu virus

JCCC has a response plan for dealing with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus and is in regular communication with the Johnson County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The college will communicate new information about the virus and about steps the college is taking as they develop.

Frequently asked questions

Have there been any cases of H1N1 (swine flu) at JCCC?
A case involving the H1N1 virus has been reported involving a person affiliated with JCCC. This is probably not the first case on campus; it’s just the first one that has been reported to us. (See the information on reporting cases below.)

What steps can I take to reduce my risk of contracting the H1N1 virus?
To help reduce the spread of the virus:

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Cough or sneeze into you elbow or a tissue and properly dispose of the used tissue.
  • If you have the flu or a similar illness, stay home to avoid spreading the virus.

Please call or visit your health care provider If you have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, or chills. Some individuals also experience vomiting and/or diarrhea.

If I think I might have H1N1, what should I do?
The symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 (swine) flu. If you have these symptoms or an underlying medical condition (i.e., pregnancy, asthma, diabetes, etc.) and have questions, please visit your health care provider immediately.

If you find you have the flu or a similar illness, please stay home to avoid spreading the virus. The Center for Disease Control has reduced the 7-day isolation period and instead asks that people be fever-free while not taking fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for 24 hours before venturing out among the public.

What happens if I get sick and miss exams?
If you’re sick, stay home. Be sure to contact your professor by phone or e-mail as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements.

Will the college close if H1N1 cases on campus are confirmed?
The college would work with the Johnson County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to make that decision. Classes for the fall 2009 semester will start as scheduled on Aug. 17.

Other resources
Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/investigation.htm
The World Health Organization, http://www.who.int/en/
U.S. Government, http://www.pandemicflu.gov/index.html
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, http://www.swinefluks.org  
        KDHE H1N1 hotline 1-877-427-7317 (toll-free, M-F 8-5)
        KDHE e-mail for Kansans with questions, H1N1fluinfo@kdheks.gov
Johnson County Health Department, http://health.jocogov.org
Johnson County Health Department flu hotline, 913-826-1263
For information in other languages visit Influenza A(H1N1) (Swine Flu): A Global Outbreak

How are H1N1 cases reported in Kansas?
In Kansas, only severely ill patients who are hospitalized have confirmed lab tests, and those will be the only ones the state reports. If someone with the H1N1 virus is not hospitalized, his or her specimen is taken to a regular lab. It is not considered an official “confirmed” case and is not reported. Therefore, in most cases, we will only know if the virus is on campus if the person involved lets us know. We will never know how many real cases we have, so we won’t be able to give you periodic reports that we have two, now three, now four – and so on – cases on campus.

As a faculty member, what can I do to help students in the classroom deal with the H1N1 outbreak?

  • Advise your students to monitor this web page to learn what JCCC is doing to combat the virus.
  • Consider possibilities for adjusting your absence policy, so students won’t be tempted to come to class with flu-like symptoms.
  • Remind students of the steps they can take to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus (washing their hands; avoiding touching their nose, eyes or mouth; coughing or sneezing into their elbow or a tissue and properly disposing of it; staying home if they have flu-like symptoms and not returning until they have been fever-free without medication for 24 hours – see the bullet above).
  • Take those steps yourself.
  • Develop contingency plans that will help ensure the continuity of learning, which may include:
    • A set of contingency lesson plans for substitute instructors.
    • Alternative assignments that may be used by students during their illness.
    • An Angel course shell through which you could distribute materials and tutorials online, post grades, host online office hours, continue discussions and offer quizzes and tests.