Letter to Students

Dear Students,

As you know, H1N1 could profoundly affect our campus this fall. The first confirmed case of H1N1 influenza infection was reported in the greater Mankato area last May. Several cases have been reported since. As expected, Minnesota State Mankato has also seen a couple of confirmed cases. Some universities in our region have already sent hundreds of students home.

Our goal is to keep you healthy by minimizing exposure and infection at Minnesota State Mankato. Your cooperation and assistance will help make that happen.

The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. If you become ill, please stay home from class, your job, sporting practices and any activity where you could potentially infect others.

Your chances of contracting a communicable disease increase when you work, study and socialize with groups of people. Influenza spreads person-to-person, primarily when infected people cough or sneeze. H1N1 is infectious and could last 5 to 7 days. If you are infected, stay home for 24 hours after symptoms have subsided and your fever is gone without the aid of fever reducers.

Because H1N1 is active locally and across the state and nation, it is important that you take precautions to protect your friends, your family and yourself from influenza exposure. The precautions are simple:

• Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid close contact with people who have influenza-like symptoms.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• If you get influenza-like symptoms, stay home from work or school except to seek medical care and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Residence Hall students with flu-like illness who live relatively close to the campus should return to their home to keep from making others sick.
• Non-residential students with flu-like illness should self-isolate at home or at a friend’s or family member’s home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

The H1N1 influenza vaccine is expected to be available sometime later this semester and we will keep the campus community informed as more specific information becomes available.

We will keep this site updated so you can find the most current information.

Thank you for doing all that you can to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment at Minnesota State Mankato.