H1N1
Not all people who report H1N1 cases to the Health Center are students. Everyone who calls to report H1N1 symptoms gets a return call from a certified triage nurse. Patients are either asked to come to the Health Center, or are told to self-isolate and treat their illness with over-the-counter medications, depending on their reported symptoms and medical condition.
Not all cases of H1N1 at the university are reported to the Walker Health Center. Some are reported to community medical clinics and some are not reported. The following numbers are those reported by the university to the Centers for Disease Control.
November 4, 2009: Regarding Seasonal Flu Vaccine
As of today, the Pat Walker Health Center has distributed its entire supply of seasonal flu vaccine. The PWHC will not receive any additional doses of seasonal flu vaccine. Please check local media advertisements for possible flu vaccine that may still be available in the community. As for H1N1 vaccine, the Arkansas State Department of Health has not notified the PWHC that H1N1 vaccine will be shipped for distribution on campus. (see Oct 28th posting). Please continue to check this webpage for updates as they arrive.
October 31, 2009: Weekly Update of reported H1N1 cases
- Week ending Oct. 31 – 50
- Total from Aug. 10 to date – 532
October 24, 2009: Weekly Update of reported H1N1 cases
- Week ending Oct. 24 – 57
- Total from Aug. 10 to date – 482
October 17, 2009: Weekly Update of reported H1N1 cases
- Week ending Oct. 17 – 45
- Total from Aug. 10 to date – 425
October 10, 2009: Weekly Update of reported H1N1 cases
- Week ending Oct. 10 – 57
- Total from Aug. 10 to date – 380
October 3, 2009: Weekly Update of reported H1N1 cases
- Week ending Oct. 3 – 95
- Total from Aug. 10 to date – 323
September 26, 2009: Weekly Update of reported H1N1 cases
- Week ending Sept. 26 – 123
- Total from Aug. 10 to date – 228
September 25, 2009: Weekly Update of reported H1N1 cases
- Week ending Sept. 18 – 56
- Total from Aug. 10 to date – 105
September 22, 2009: Reported H1N1 Cases Increase at University of Arkansas, Health Center Adds Staff for Cases
The number of reported cases of H1N1 flu have steadily increased at the University of Arkansas, as was expected, but the vast majority of cases have been mild. During the first three weeks of classes, a total of 110 cases were reported to the Centers for Disease Control by officials at the Pat Walker Health Center.
Monday, Sept. 21, more than 142 people made calls to the primary medical clinic at the health center. While this number only represents 0.7 percent of the student population, it was a large enough number to overload the clinic’s phone line, causing delays in reporting and responding to those who are seriously ill.
“At this time we have added staff members who can respond to the increased phone call volume and added two part-time physicians to assist our primary medical clinic medical providers who see patients with serious medical conditions, the flu and other illnesses,” said Mary Alice Serafini, assistant vice provost for student affairs and executive director of the Pat Walker Health Center. “The people who call and receive a return call from a certified triage nurse, in most cases, are experiencing mild symptoms and do not need to come to the clinic. In fact they might inadvertently expose more people to the virus by coming to the clinic. In most cases we will advise these people to stay at home or in their room, take over-the-counter medicine for their symptoms, and not to return to work or classes until 24 hours after their fever is gone.”
“We encourage people with a chronic medical condition or other serious medical problems to call the primary medical clinic if they become ill,” said Serafini. “Individuals with these conditions are at higher risk and need to be seen and given medical treatment promptly. We are grateful to our medical teams for their expertise and fortitude. Their dedication to our patients is evident as they handle the increased demand of patients with serious needs.”
The Centers for Disease Control predict a recurrence of H1N1 flu later this fall and winter and say that college students and others in group living situations will be at an increased risk of getting H1N1 flu.
University of Arkansas health officials are reminding everyone on campus to wash their hands frequently, cover their coughs and sneezes, isolate themselves if they become ill, and get an H1N1 flu vaccination when they become available in October. Seasonal flu vaccine is also recommended and is now available at Pat Walker Health Center for the campus community.
September 9, 2009, Update from the Pat Walker Health Center
The Pat Walker Health Center has had a total of 23 patients with the flu since the first day of classes. Ten patients came to the Health Center with the flu last week. The Health Center is now talking to students with flu-like illness who are not coming in for diagnosis and treatment but rather are self-isolating with medical advice. This is in step with the Centers for Disease Control guidelines. The greatest concern is for people with health conditions that put them at risk. Hence, self-isolation for those with flu-like illness is important as are all the pro-active precautions the university is teaching and encouraging on this website and across campus.
H1N1 Preparedness
Given the start of fall classes and the return of thousands of students, faculty and staff to campus, University of Arkansas officials are monitoring the novel H1N1 influenza (often referred to as “swine flu”) and its potential impact on campus operations.
In July 2009, the Arkansas Department of Health confirmed 100 cases of H1N1 across Arkansas through laboratory tests, but suspected the actual number of cases to be closer to 1,000. There have been sporadic outbreaks in summer camps throughout the state and nation.
As a result, the university expects to see cases of H1N1 on campus as students, faculty and staff come in from around the country and the world.
The medical staff at the Pat Walker Health Center remains in close communication with the Arkansas Department of Health, as well as with university housing staff and the office of the chancellor. In the event of an outbreak, the university will follow guidelines and recommendations from the Arkansas Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In the meantime, officials are proactively involved in pandemic planning and developing contingency plans prior to any possible outbreak to avoid disruption to our campus community and minimize any impacts.
Please refer to the links on the right side of this page for further information, tips and resources pertaining to the H1N1 virus.
The following links are for additional information related to influenza and H1N1. By clicking on the links below, you will be redirected to other Web sites.