Spring Break
Swine flu suspected at Western Oregon University
Students at university just 20 miles away recieve e-mail notifying them of potential swine flu infection on campus
The Daily Barometer
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: News
In an e-mail to all Western Oregon University students Thursday, WOU President John Minahan informed the campus community of a student who may possibly be infected with Swine Flu.
Minahan told KATU news that the 1,300 students that live in dorms will be asked to stay there for the next couple of days. However, they are not being quarantined.
This information follows reports of the first possible victim of Swine Flu in Multnomah County, which made news reports earlier yesterday morning and supports evidence that the spread of the flu is becoming rampant across the U.S.
In the e-mail, Minahan said that the student, whose name was not released, was exhibiting flu-like symptoms earlier in the week and tested positive for influenza A at the WOU Student Health Center. The Polk County Health Department was notified, and a specimen from the student was immediately sent to the State of Oregon Health Department Lab.
"This afternoon, we received notification that the specimen would require further testing by the Center for Disease Control," the e-mail said.
"Indications are likely that the diagnosis is a case of the 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu)."
The student is currently receiving treatment elsewhere.
The Polk County Health Department is informed and will stay involved with coming updates in the future. The results of the CDC testing will also be known within a few days.
WOU and the Polk County Health Department are working together to contact individuals who may have been in contact with this student recently in an attempt to limit the spread of the flu before it begins, and urges any students experiencing flu-like symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
For continuing information regarding swine flu in the state of Oregon, click on www.dailybarometer.com
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Minahan told KATU news that the 1,300 students that live in dorms will be asked to stay there for the next couple of days. However, they are not being quarantined.
This information follows reports of the first possible victim of Swine Flu in Multnomah County, which made news reports earlier yesterday morning and supports evidence that the spread of the flu is becoming rampant across the U.S.
In the e-mail, Minahan said that the student, whose name was not released, was exhibiting flu-like symptoms earlier in the week and tested positive for influenza A at the WOU Student Health Center. The Polk County Health Department was notified, and a specimen from the student was immediately sent to the State of Oregon Health Department Lab.
"This afternoon, we received notification that the specimen would require further testing by the Center for Disease Control," the e-mail said.
"Indications are likely that the diagnosis is a case of the 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu)."
The student is currently receiving treatment elsewhere.
The Polk County Health Department is informed and will stay involved with coming updates in the future. The results of the CDC testing will also be known within a few days.
WOU and the Polk County Health Department are working together to contact individuals who may have been in contact with this student recently in an attempt to limit the spread of the flu before it begins, and urges any students experiencing flu-like symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
For continuing information regarding swine flu in the state of Oregon, click on www.dailybarometer.com
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Vanessa Frazier
posted 5/07/09 @ 8:40 AM PST
Dear President John Minahan of WOU,
I applaud the smart decision you made by shutting down Western Oregon University's campus. Even if researchers are not one- hundred percent sure that the swine flu has affected your campus, it's still better to be safe than sorry. (Continued…)
Post a Comment
Comments by registered users are approved by default.