With possible cases of swine flu showing up in Louisiana, campus officials are warning students about health practices concerning the growing pandemic.
In a statement to The Maroon, Rev. Kevin Wildes S.J., university president said, “I am monitoring the health situation closely both through the professional staff on campus, as well as our contacts in the state health agencies.”
Gov. Bobby Jindal announced on Wednesday that he is temporarily closing a school in Lafayette, La., pending test results of five students.
On Wednesday April, 29, a child with flu like symptoms went to the Tulane Uptown Square Clinic where a swab was collected to be sent off for testing of swine flu, said Mark Romig, a spokesperson for the clinic.
Romig said the child was around people who recently went to Mexico, which is where the disease originated.
Though it is not confirmed if the child has swine flu, the clinic handed the case to the state for testing, which Romig said could range from 14 to 24 hours for results.
Cissy Petty, vice president and associate provost of Student Affairs, said the university will keep parents, students, faculty and staff updated via the university Web site.
“As of this date, there are no confirmed cases of swine flu in Louisiana,” said Petty on the afternoon of April 29. “Should the situation worsen, then university administrators have the authority to call a meeting of Loyola’s Pandemic Flu Team for a response.”
Swine flu is a pandemic that has spread into the United States with at least 91 cases of swine flu and one death of a 23-month-old boy in Texas, the Center for Disease Control confirmed.
According to the CDC’s Web site, swine flu is a respiratory disease originating in pigs that does not normally cause infections in humans but can and does.
Romig doesn’t think students should worry that the potential swine flu victim went to a clinic that is in close proximity to the universities.
“This could be specific to someone’s travel or the people they’re around’s travel,” said Romig.
Petty said Dining Services has assured her that the dishwasher water not only heats to the proper temperature, but also adds a sanitizing fluid to kill any germs.
They have also reminded staff of hand washing requirements, she said.
Petty said that Loyola’s Student Health already has masks and is ordering hand sanitizers to be placed in the residence halls for students who ask for them.
The CDC noted that hand sanitizers should be alcohol-based.
Dr. Alicia Bourque, director of Counseling and Health Services, said Student Health is prepared to test for swine flu if anyone is experiencing any of the symptoms.
The CDC said normal influenza symptoms of fever, headaches, sore throat and body aches are the same for swine flu.
The CDC said swine flu can be cured with antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu, a drug Petty said Student Health has at its disposal should it be needed.
Petty said that Loyola currently has only one student that is studying abroad in Mexico.
Petty said she believes the director of Study Abroad has been in touch with that student, however.
Swine flu is spread through human contact and not through consuming pork.
Because of the way the disease spreads, the United States Secretary of Agriculture has stopped calling the virus swine flu but instead the H1N1 flu.
The national worry of swine flu has not reached some Loyola students yet.
Danielle Jenkins, marketing senior, said that she is not worried about the flu.
“I rest a lot, wash my hands a lot. The same thing I always do,” Jenkins said.
Amy Palgutam political science freshman, expressed similar sentiments.
“As long as people wash their hands and are careful, then all of this will settle down quickly,” she said.
Rebecca Block, history junior, said she believes Loyola is just as prepared as any other university but has a few suggestions that she believes wouldn’t hurt in planning for the pandemic.
“Put more soap and paper towels in the bathroom,” Block said. “That way you don’t have to touch the handle when you are leaving.”
John Adams can be reached at [email protected].
