Human Influenza A (H1N1) Information

A Message for Faculty

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

I write to ask you again to provide greater than usual flexibility in your policies on class attendance, deadlines and make-up work. Following CDC guidelines, I also request that you not ask students to obtain certificates or letters from medical personnel attesting to flu or flu-like illnesses.

The Indiana University Bloomington campus is currently experiencing fairly serious problems with the H1N1 virus. During the first week of classes, the IU Health Center diagnosed 33 cases. Each week, the number of documented cases has risen. Last week, 310 new cases were diagnosed. As of last Friday, nearly 1,000 cases had been diagnosed since the beginning of the academic year. It is likely that the actual total number of cases of H1N1 is far higher, as many students who suspect that they have the virus are following CDC recommendations by self-treating and staying away from the Health Center and doctors' offices.

The CDC is projecting that incidents of H1N1 will peak in mid-November. As you have probably heard, there have been delays in the production of adequate supplies of the H1N1 vaccine. Sufficient quantities are not currently available for mass immunizations on the campus, but all the plans are in place for a special campus clinic to be held as soon as the vaccine becomes available.

Update: Eligible IU Bloomington students and employees begin H1N1 vaccine reservations (Nov. 5, 2009)

At the beginning of the year, we did write to students, reminding them to engage in elementary precautions like washing hands and staying away from people who are ill, but, in the absence of the flu vaccine, many of our students cannot avoid illness. They have been told to self-isolate and avoid the health center and doctors' waiting rooms, unless they have serious problems or relevant underlying conditions. Some of our students have become severely ill and have required hospitalization. For many, more than a few days of rest and isolation have been necessary for recuperation.

As you recall, I wrote in August to suggest ways that you might prepare to continue teaching, research, and creative activity in the event of a potentially severe outbreak of H1N1 influenza.

Student absenteeism is of course disruptive for classroom instruction. A new instructional resources site has been designed to address this issue by helping instructors match their teaching techniques with IU-supported technologies. With the right combination of technology, instructors may be able to recreate many of the learning activities of the classroom. For instance, the guide suggests IU-supported technology tools that allow students to share resources, such as handouts, and to participate in online discussions that could substitute for in-class group activities. Links to helpful resources are provided on the new site, http://keepteaching.iu.edu/.

The disruptions caused by the H1N1 virus, and by our commitment to follow public health guidelines, are difficult for all. Thank you for your cooperation and patience.

Sincerely,

Karen Hanson
Provost and Executive Vice President