WMU: Swine flu being monitored carefully

By David Alexander
Western Herald

To allay concerns of a pandemic, Western Michigan University officials are urging students and citizens alike to stay informed about the potential threats of the swine flu.

Of the 37 probable swine flu cases in Michigan, only two have been confirmed as of Sunday evening, one in Livingston County and the other in Ottawa County. That includes nine new probable cases at Hope College in Ottawa County, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

With students coming into contact with one another on a regular basis it is important the university take the proper precautions to ensure everyone stays healthy, according to WMU officials.

WMU’s preparation comes by way of the Pandemic Influenza Planning Committee. The committee oversees all potential threats to student health. Dr. Lisa Marshall is the Medical Director at Sindecuse Health Center and sits on the committee.

“The Michigan Department of Community Health uses an alert system called the Michigan Health Alert Network to notify health professionals of priority health issues,” Marshall said in an e-mail. “It sends out updates for confirmed, probable, and suspected H1N1 [swine flu virus] cases across Michigan.”

Shari Glaser, director of Parent and Family Programs at WMU also sits on the PIPC and said that the university is not making light of the situation, but also stressed it is adequately prepared for an outbreak of any flu variety.

“Our intent at this point and time is not to alarm people …[we have] very, very specific measures to be prepared for things like this,” Glaser said. “If something did happen on campus we would be able to contain it and control it.”

Concerns about students in WMU’s study abroad programs also have arisen. Executive director of International Programs, Brett Berquist tried to quell any disquiet.

“We sent a lot of students abroad, to a lot of countries, and of course things happen,” he said “[The Pandemic Influenza Planning Committee is] watching this very closely… The main message is we monitor this very closely and we have very precise information.”

The 18 students who were studying abroad in Querétaro, Mexico during the spring semester have returned as of  April 29, six weeks earlier than scheduled. These students have been asked to stay home for seven days to ensure they are not sick.

Berquist also sits on the PIPC and said the Study Abroad programs utilize a data-sharing system called iJet to monitor health issues abroad and often have information before the news media. Issues with transcripts and refunds for those students are still being worked out, he said.

Overall there has not been a barrage of phone calls from concerned parents because the university keeps parents and students well informed, Berquist said.

Glaser agreed but said it is hard to tell how things will pan out. Once the summer semester gets in full swing it is possible the volume of concerned callers will increase, she said.

For  the latest news visit Centers for Disease Control Web sites: www.cdc.gov/flu/swine, or www.cdc.gov/travel. For WMU related news visit Sindecuse Health Center’s site at www.wmich.edu/shc/news/news.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on May 3 2009. Filed under Campus, Nation, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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