Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Information


Update: November 6, 2009

We have pledged to keep our Ashford community informed about any occurrences of the H1N1 flu. Several Ashford University employees or their family members and students in Clinton were diagnosed with the H1N1 flu in the past several weeks, though no new cases have been reported as of November 3, 2009.

On October 30, 2009, a free flu clinic was administered on campus for students and child care providers. Due to a current shortage of the flu vaccine in the local Clinton area, another flu shot clinic for students, faculty and staff that had been scheduled for October 23, 2009 has been postponed to a date yet to be determined. Please check back to this website for updates regarding a future date for the flu shot clinic.

Your health matters! Please review the detailed information on this page regarding the flu and H1N1 virus, how you can help and what Ashford University is doing to prevent the outbreak and spread of the flu virus on campus. Be assured that University staff are working closely with the Clinton and Scott County Health Departments to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning Ashford University. This page will be updated with new information as it becomes available.

How You Can Help

As you may know, the flu virus can be spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the outbreak and spread of the flu virus at Ashford University in order to maintain smooth operations every day, but we need your help. Please review the list below to understand what you can do to help:

  • Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
  • Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
  • Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This determination should be made without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don't go to class or work.
  • Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also, if you are at higher risk for flu complications from the 2009 H1N1 flu virus ("swine flu"), you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

What Ashford University is Doing

H1N1 vaccination
Student Kira Kavaro receives a dose of the nasal-spray H1N1 flu vaccine during a recent free flu clinic at Ashford University.

Ashford University will attempt to take every precaution possible to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our students, staff, and faculty. The University is currently implementing many recommendations from the Clinton County Public Health Agency (via information from Genesis VNA) to reduce the health impacts of the H1N1 influenza virus. Prevention is the focus in the fight against the virus. The precautions we are currently implementing include the following:

  • Informational postings and instructions on hand washing techniques. Posters will be placed throughout our facilities and our bathrooms to remind students and staff of the importance of hand washing in reducing the spread of disease.
  • Hand sanitizer dispensers and pumps will be strategically placed throughout our facilities for convenient usage. This placement includes providing each dorm room and office with a personal hand sanitizer pump. Additional supplies will be available for purchase by visiting our Bookstore.
  • Individual flu kits, provided by Genesis VNA, will be given to students or staff who exhibit respiratory and flu symptoms. The kits include a mask, hand sanitizer, gloves and tissue. The masks can be used for ill students or staff who are coughing/sneezing and may need to stay at school for a period of time until someone can pick them up or until transportation can be arranged.
  • Housekeeping services will be increased to cover high contact areas throughout the day/week.
  • Resident Assistants, Academics, and Human Resources will monitor attendance of students, staff, and faculty for absences related to illness. An absenteeism rate of 10% or higher will be reported to the local health department for additional recommendations.
  • Students, staff, or faculty exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be encouraged to stay home or in their residence until they are fever free for 24 hours. Flu symptoms include fever or chills AND cough or sore throat.

For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).