King's Pandemic H1N1 Flu Planning

King's News

King's Pandemic H1N1 Flu Planning

The University of King's College has in place a Pandemic Flu Plan, which it is updating with information provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and in consultation with Dalhousie University, in preparation for the return of students to campus. This plan includes provisions for upgraded campus cleaning procedures, food service guidelines, communicating with students about potential flu risks, and possible closures of the College. Provisions for isolating ill students within residence have also been established. All of these are under the oversight of the College’s Pandemic Committee which reports to the Office of the President.

Health officials are very clear that there is no reason to cancel plans to travel or to change normal living arrangements due to the H1N1 flu outbreak if one is in normal good health. Proper hygiene should, however, be followed at all times, and the College will be providing full support and information for recommended procedures.

Faculty, staff and students who experience flu-like symptoms will be encouraged to stay home for 7 days from the time symptoms first appear. Students who miss class will be strongly encouraged to communicate with their instructors as soon as possible in order to make arrangements for completing their academic requirements. Plans are also underway to provide academic support in particular to students in the first year Foundation Year Programme who may be absent from class due to illness.

Students with underlying health problems are at a particular risk for contracting this flu virus. Resident students who feel they may be at a particular risk should inform the Residence Office. Any resident student who falls ill during the school year should report it to his or her Don.

Maintaining good personal hygiene is the best prevention against a flu illness. Frequent hand-washing, coughing or sneezing into your arm, avoiding contact with ill people, and avoiding touching of your mouth all help to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. A poster information campaign will be implemented in September to inform students about ways to help prevent the spread of the virus. The College will also inform students about campus immunization clinics should an H1N1 flu vaccine become available in the autumn.

Any further questions about H1N1 should be directed to the President’s Office. The College will continue to monitor the situation.