the Rice Thresher

Issue date: 9/11/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Logan Beck

Editor's note: This article has been changed from the printed version.

Swine flu has officially hit Rice. The H1N1 flu virus, commonly known as swine flu, has infected over 120 students, Director of Student Health Services Mark Jenkins said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 123 students had sought medical attention at the Health Services Center. However, Jenkins said this number may not reflect the actual number of infected students, as more likely stayed in their dorms or apartments instead of seeking a medical opinion. Jenkins estimated that 20 percent of the student body may have contracted the virus.

Although students have not been tested to determine the strain, viral testing performed throughout the country by the World Health Organization suggests that the overwhelming number of cases in which flu-like symptoms are exhibited are due to the H1N1 virus.

National statistics, collected by the Center for Disease Control, show there have been 9,079 hospitalizations and 593 deaths so far in the United States due to H1N1; by comparison, the CDC notes an average of 36,000 people died in flu-related deaths in the United States each year from 1993 to 2003.

There has not been a fatal case of H1N1 at Rice so far, and Dean of Undergraduates Robin Forman said the university's goal was straightforward.

"We want to keep healthy people healthy," Forman said.

In order to do this, Forman encouraged frequent hand washing, the use of the recently installed hand sanitizers throughout campus and the continual practice of other good hygiene habits in those still healthy. For those infected with the virus, Forman asked them to prevent the further spread of the virus.

"Those already infected should practice social distancing, and wear masks, of the sort that is provided by Health Services, if possible when in public spaces," Forman said.

In response to a campus rumor that the university is dealing with the current outbreaks by quarantining entire college floors or sending sick students home, Forman denied that any formal quarantines are in effect. Local students who have fallen ill, however, are advised to spend time at home.

The upcoming fall and winter are expected to be seasons with high incidences of both the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu strains. Forman said for this reason, uninfected students are encouraged to get both H1N1 and seasonal vaccinations as they become available.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools