The chance of a swine influenza pandemic coming to Ball State University is minimal, but university leaders aren't going to let their guard down, administrators said Monday.
Dr. Kent Bullis, medical director for Ball State's Amelia T. Wood Health Center, said the students who need to worry most about the swine flu are those who have a fever of at least 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit and spent Spring Break in Mexico, the virus' epicenter.
In Mexico, swine influenza A (H1N1) had infected nearly 2,000 and killed 149 as of early today, according to the Associated Press. There were 50 cases reported in the U.S.
The first U.S. cases were reported in late March and early April in Southern California and near San Antonio, according to the CDC, and the disease has spread internationally. The closest reported case to Ball State was in Ohio.
None of the reported U.S. cases have been fatal, according to the Associated Press.
Bullis said the number of Health Center patients has been higher since Spring Break compared to previous years, but he didn't know why.
"That's not been the case this year," he said. "... I ascribed this to the inconsistent weather. It makes me wonder if we're seeing cases of the swine flu, and it's not affecting people as big of a deal."
Bullis said he wasn't worried about an outbreak on campus, [noting that there had been no reported cases in Indiana.]
"There's a lot of runny noses and colds going around," he said. "I don't think it's in everyone's best interest to be running immediately to the doctor."
Tony Proudfoot, Ball State's associate vice president for marketing and communications, said there was one reported case of a Ball State student with influenza Monday.
"Let me underscore that it's quite common for us to have cases of influenza on campus sporadically throughout the year," Proudfoot said. "We have no reason to believe this is swine flu. We are following CDC guidelines for any cases diagnosed as influenza."
The CDC has recommended that all medical offices take blood samples from flu patients and forward them to the agency for testing as a precautionary measure.
The Indiana Department of Health had forwarded two specimens of unknown flu strains to the CDC for further testing as of Monday afternoon.
Ball State prepares for an outbreak
Despite the perceived low risk for a campus outbreak, the Health Center took precautions to check for possible swine flu cases Monday.
All Health Center patients had their temperatures checked, regardless of what illness they may have had, Bullis said. Patients who had fevers were separated from everyone else to prevent the risk of spreading the virus until Health Center staff could administer a flu test.
Should there be a pandemic on campus, there is a university policy in place to handle the situation, Proudfoot said.
The Influenza Pandemic Operations and Response Plan was developed in response to the 2006 avian flu pandemic.
President Jo Ann Gora's office decides whether to cancel classes or close the university, among other decisions, according to the policy. The Pandemic Assessment and Coordinating Team - which consists of Bullis, Kay Bales, vice president for Student Affairs, and Alan Hargrave, director Housing and Residence Life - would work with the president's office and Crisis Management Team in making decisions and implementing them.
BSU, health department track CDC findings
Ball State and the Indiana State Department of Health continue to monitor the CDC's updates as the federal agency investigates the virus' spread and possible treatments.
"Those of us in the administration are keeping an eye on things pretty closely," Bullis said. "... At this point in time, I think there's no reason for alarm. I think the main response a normal person should have to this would be remain informed."
The virus appears to spread like seasonal flu, according to the CDC. Coughing, sneezing and touching someone who is contagious can spread the illness.
The state health department has advised that people with minor symptoms should stay home and contact their doctors for advice to prevent the spread of the virus.
It is too early for the state to declare the virus a pandemic, Joe Wainscott, executive director of the Indiana State Department of Health, said in a press statement.
"Limiting contact with others can help slow the spread of illness," Wainscott said in a press statement. "Together we can help protect ourselves, our families and our communities."
Keep the pork on the fork: It's still safe to eat
Although the disease is called swine flu, there is no danger in contracting it from pork products.
Liz Poore, assistant director of operations for Ball State Dining, said the office hasn't had to remove any pork from kitchens because the virus is a respiratory infection and cannot be transferred through food.
"This has nothing to do with [eating pork]," Poore said. "It's an influenza virus that affects people. It's not from undercooked food products. It started with animals, but it doesn't come from eating them."
As long as pork is cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Indiana health department, bacteria and viruses, including the swine flu virus, will die.
Poore said Ball State uses thermometers to check the temperature of the pork it cooks.
Tracing swine flus spreadOriginating in Mexico, the new swine influenza virus contains pig, bird and human genes, a combination never seen before. The graphs above show the number of cases in the U.S. and internationally.
- March 18 Mexico alerted to flu-like illnesses
- April 12 Woman dies of severe viral pneumonia caused by swine flu
- April 16 Mexico notifies WHO; reports from Mexico City and Mexicali
- April 21 U.S. confirms two children test positive, San Diego
- April 22 Mexico issues nationwide alert; Mexican-U.S. link confirmed
- April 23 Five more cases in southern California and near San Antonio, Texas
- April 24 Mexico identifies more than 900 cases with 62 deaths, mainly in Mexico City
- April 25 More than 1,300 suspected cases in Mexico, 81 deaths; 11 confirmed cases in U.S.; eight suspected in New York
- April 26 Ten students from Auckland, New Zealand, test positive for flu and two French have symptoms after visiting Mexico; cases confirmed in Ohio; possible cases in British Columbia, Scotland, Israel and Spain
- April 27 Spain confirms first case
Precautions advised
- Very frequent hand washing
- Stay at home if you are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes and nose
- Cover mouth when coughing, sneezing
Symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Soar throat
- Fever
- Coughing
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy, lack of appetite
- Loss of consciousness, ending in death
- Incubation time: 5-10 days
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