University of Colorado at Boulder health officials today reported that they are seeing fewer weekly cases of students with flu-like symptoms at Wardenburg Health Center, with the number of cases of H1N1 confirmed by the state health department standing at four and the number of students seen in the clinic with flu-like symptoms at 446 since Aug. 1.
These numbers include students living both on and off campus. They do not include students who have been seen by an off-campus health care provider. The university has scaled back its Type A influenza testing, testing only students who meet high-risk criteria or who are hospitalized. To date, two students have been hospitalized and both have recovered from their flu symptoms.
"We've seen a slight decrease in the number of flu-like cases at Wardenburg and feel like we may have passed the spike of the first wave of cases," said Dr. Pamela Talley, lead physician for medical clinics at Wardenburg. "However, when the weather gets cold we expect to see an increase in cases."
Any CU-Boulder student who is experiencing influenza-like illness can call either the Wardenburg Health Center or their medical provider to discuss treatment options.
"People who have flu-like symptoms and risk factors for developing complications from the flu, or people without high-risk factors whose symptoms are worsening or changing, should be evaluated by a health care professional as soon as possible," Talley said. "Students without risk factors should stay in their rooms, apartments and houses and self-isolate."
Populations considered at increased risk of H1N1 complications include pregnant women, people with suppressed immune systems (such as those undergoing chemotherapy), people with diabetes, asthma or other complicating medical conditions, and small children. Wardenburg Health Center will consider people in these at-risk populations or those with worsening flu symptoms as potential recipients of antiviral medications such as Tamiflu.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend that universities cancel large-scale events or quarantine students or any individuals who may be infected as an H1N1 containment strategy. At this time, CU-Boulder is not canceling any special events or classes and is actively monitoring Type A influenza cases in cooperation with Boulder County Public Health.
In accordance with the CDC recommendations, CU-Boulder is asking ill students to self-isolate and monitor their symptoms; to cover their noses and mouths when they cough or sneeze; and to frequently wash their hands with soap and warm water or disinfect with hand sanitizer.
Students living in the residence halls who have flu-like symptoms are urged to stay in their residence hall rooms, not to enter large-group settings until 24 hours after any fever has ended (without the aid of fever-reducing medications), and report flu-like symptoms to their hall director or resident adviser. Housing and dining staff will deliver kits including food items and surgical masks to residents who report flu-like illness. Community Health information tables have been provided at dining facilities during meal times to encourage good hygiene practices and to answer questions that students have about the flu.
CU-Boulder is coordinating with Boulder County Public Health on future vaccination clinics and to acquire a portion of the national stockpile of medications. When the vaccine becomes available, Wardenburg Health Center will kick off a series of H1N1 vaccination clinics for students, faculty and staff. Health officials project the vaccine will be available in mid- to late-October.
Students who think they may have symptoms related to H1N1 may call the Wardenburg Health Center at 303-492-3435. Parents with H1N1 concerns can call Parent Relations at 303-492-1380.
The CU-Boulder H1N1 Flu Web site has information on measures to prevent and manage influenza-like illness at .
Wardenburg Health Center has posted recommendations on protecting against and treating influenza on its Web site at .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for institutions of higher education are posted at .