North Dakota State University established an H1N1 crisis response team in April 2009 as part of the NDSU Crisis Management Response Team (CMRT) to monitor and prepare for issues or concerns facing the campus community. Janna Stoskopf, dean of student life, and Ray Boyer, director of university police and safety, lead the team. The other members include Michael Harwood, assistant dean of student life, Barbara Lonbaken, dean for student wellness, Dagny Oliver, associate director of student health service, Jolean Pederson, associate director of public health and safety, Dr. Charles Peterson, dean of the college of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences, Amber Alstadt, NDSU student body president, and Najla Amundson, media relations director. 

A cross section of the campus community serves on the full NDSU CMRT and will assist the team in the development of the campus wide H1N1 continuity of operations plans. With the start of a new school year, the team asks students, faculty and staff to focus on preventative measures in dealing with H1N1. This approach coincides with that of the North Dakota State Health Department and Fargo Cass Public Health, which the team communicates with on a weekly basis.

While H1N1 is a different strain of flu virus, most people recover as they would from the seasonal flu virus. H1N1, in very severe cases, could result in death, but so can other flu viruses. Exposure to H1N1 or any other seasonal flu virus happens days before any flu-like symptoms occur. That is why prevention is the most effective protection again H1N1.

H1N1 responds well to two influenza medications commonly used for other seasonal flu viruses, Tamiflu and Relenza.

What can I do to stay healthy? 

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer, especially after coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Use tissues one time only - discard in wastebasket after use.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve if a tissue is not available. This will prevent the passage of germs from infected hands to objects or other persons.
• Stay at least six feet away from anyone you suspect is ill.
• Eat a balanced diet, drink lots of water, exercise regularly and get plenty of rest.
• Get the seasonal flu vaccine. It will be available through Student Health Service this fall.
• Get the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.

If you develop flu-like symptoms, NDSU’s H1N1 team encourages you to do the following: 

• Limit interactions with other people (self-isolation) for at least 24-hours after you no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.
• If you have a medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, pregnancy, or other chronic illnesses, and develop flu-like symptoms, students call Student Health Service at 231-7331 for further evaluation; faculty and staff, please contact your medical provider.

If someone you are in contact with develops flu-like symptoms take the following precautions: 

• Limit your exposure to that person.
• If contact cannot be avoided, the ill person should wear a surgical mask during the period of contact.

The Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization will always err on the side of caution. North Dakota State University is doing the same. NDSU is working with local public health officials, healthcare systems and MSUM and Concordia to address issues from a community perspective.

Updated information on H1N1 as well as any university initiatives will be posted at this link: www.ndsu.edu/news/

For more information, log onto: www.cdc.gov