[IMAGE]campus-1.jpg[/IMAGE]University of Michigan-Flint (UM-Flint) Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Vahid Lotfi, sent an e-mail on Aug. 28 to caution students and faculty members of the risks of H1N1 infection (Swine Flu). Students are urged to stay home in case of a fever that has reached 100.4 or higher and to keep hands clean. Faculty and students are urged to stay home for at least 24 hours, or until the fever is reduced. Hand sanitizers will be more accessible on campus this fall semester.
The campus concern has been a national one, since rates of H1N1 illness has been unusual for August. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that H1N1 illnesses have remained stable, but are growing in some areas. Although the infection rates were highest during February, reports for H1N1 rose again in April. The numbers of infections are down since then, but have been at an unusual rate for the summer months. At this time, Georgia, Alaska and Puerto Rico have the highest rates of H1N1 influenza hospitalization and death.
