H1N1 Updates
Prevention
We are working closely with the Multnomah County Health Department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take on our campus. In accordance with governmental distribution priorities and as supply becomes available to us, we are planning to administer the H1N1 influenza vaccine in the Wellness Center this fall. In addition, we are initiating an educational campaign to help members of our community avoid becoming ill. Should they become ill with the flu, we are making contingency plans to provide resources to assist them and reduce the spread of the flu.
Read up on MU's Prevention Plan.
Be Proactive
Each of us plays an important role in keeping our campus healthy. Careless health hygiene can result in spreading illness to others, and we need your help.
3 Important Steps to Reduce the Spread of Flu, Colds and Other Illnesses:
- Protect yourself and others by washing your hands often with soap and water; or use alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Cover your mouth with something other than your hand when you cough or sneeze.
- If you are sick, stay home. Contact your health care provider or the Wellness Center (503.251.6685) and avoid public places where others will be exposed to your illness.
What to Do
Students
Should a student have a fever over 100.4 and flu-like symptoms (sore throat, non-productive cough, headache, tiredness, chills, runny nose, chest discomfort, etc.), that individual should distance themselves from others and adhere to the following:
- On-campus Students: Stay in their rooms, notify their roommates as well as MU Wellness Center right away, and make plans immediately to go home temporarily.
- The Wellness Center will, if necessary, refer the student to a physician or medical center.
- If the student lives on campus but cannot go home, Student Services may choose to quarantine the student in designated student housing.
- Off-campus Students: Should not return to campus for 24 hours after fever is alleviated.
- Any student returning to campus is advised to be assessed first by the Wellness Center before moving back into university housing or attending classes.
- If the student is on fever-reducing medication, the student should be free of the fever and free of medication for 24 hours before returning to campus.
Students will be notified by email or through this Website of any changes to MU's strategy to prevent the spread of flu on our campus. If you have any questions about your health or Multnomah’s response plan, please contact our Wellness Center:
- by phone at 503.251.6685
- via email at nurse@multnomah.edu
Employees
If an employee has a fever of 100.4 and flu like symptoms (sore throat, non-productive cough, headache, tiredness, chills, runny nose, chest discomfort, etc.), that employee should go home or stay home if they are away from Multnomah when symptoms begin. Staff should stay home until they are fever free (without the assistance of fever reducing medication) for at least 24 hours.
- Staff will have access to utilize their bank of sick pay, as well as vacation pay to cover their days away from the office.
- Staff shall make daily telephone or email contact with their immediate supervisor updating their return to work status.
Keep up-to-date
Documents
- Student Letter [PDF]
- Staff/Faculty Letter [PDF]
- Airborne Illness Outbreak and Response Plan [PDF]
- Pandemic Response Plan for Staff [PDF]
- H1N1 Protocol for Residential Students [PDF]
- Sick Tray Authorization Form [PDF]
- Dining When You Are Ill [PDF]
