Clemson University’s response to the H1N1 flu pandemic
Published: September 16, 2009
Clemson University’s response to the H1N1 flu pandemic
Clemson University has been planning a coordinated and comprehensive response to the threat of a severe influenza pandemic since 2006. More than 60 members of the faculty, staff and administration from 21 units representing academics, research, PSA, student affairs, public affairs, human resources and numerous business operations and auxiliaries have developed operational plans that are helping guide decisions for managing the H1N1 outbreak.
The pandemic planning group adopted these key purposes for the development of the Clemson University Pandemic Influenza Response Plan:
- Protect the health and safety of the Clemson University community in the event of a pandemic influenza threat or outbreak.
- Assure the continuity of operations and academic programs of Clemson University throughout a pandemic influenza threat or event.
- Provide for timely and efficient recovery of operations and academic programs following a pandemic influenza event.
Clemson’s pandemic plan is based on the World Health Organization Global Influenza Preparedness Plan, with additional guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. It outlines steps administrators should consider implementing as a flu pandemic progresses. It is a flexible framework for decision-making, without hard-and-fast rules, and it can be adjusted as circumstances warrant.
The Clemson pandemic plan includes the use of a wide range of non-pharmaceutical interventions to slow the spread of and reduce the risks of pandemic disease. These steps include educating and informing students, faculty and staff about the potential for an influenza pandemic and the importance of personal preparedness. Communication about H1N1 flu stressed the benefits of personal hygiene, such as hand-washing and covering coughs and isolation of those who become ill. Active, timely and accurate communication in all phases of the plan is an integral and essential element of the preparation and operational response strategy.
Since the outbreak of H1N1 last spring, the pandemic flu planning team has been meeting regularly to assess the situation and determine necessary responses, which have included:
- Creating an H1N1 flu Web page and Twitter to keep the campus informed about the flu, symptoms, prevention and frequently asked questions. The Web page and Twitter are updated frequently.
- Communicating about the H1N1 flu via e-mail with all students, faculty and staff.
- Including information about the university’s flu response and prevention recommendations to students in the newsletter for Clemson parents.
- Closing a summer academic camp when a teenage student was diagnosed with the flu.
- Providing streaming video online of the May Commencement so people who were concerned about the spread of the flu in a crowd could view the ceremonies.
- Planning to provide the H1N1 vaccine to students and employees as soon as it is available later this fall.