Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

World, West Virginia U. on watch for swine flu
By Alanna Markle & Alex Kerns
The Daily Athenaeum, West Virginia U.
May 01, 2009

Health officials are urging West Virginia University students to use caution and common sense when dealing with the swine flu but say there is no real cause for alarm.

The virus originated in Mexico, and has since spread to 11 states in the United States and nine other countries in Europe and North America.

So far only one death caused by swine flu has been reported in the United States.

Although West Virginia has not had a confirmed case according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, officials say there is the possibility of it spreading to the state.

“Fear tends to exaggerate the perception of risk, but it’s certainly possible that cases could arrive here from any source,” said Dr. Gregory Juckett, director of West Virginia University International Travel Clinic.

The Mon General Hospital has been in contact with Monongalia County’s Public Health Department about precautions regarding swine flu, according to a document available the hospital’s Web site.

The hospital, in turn, has been receiving directions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mon General’s infections specialist has reviewed the protocols for sampling and administering treatments with the medical director.

The document states, “Mon General is on high alert for those with flu-like symptoms now that flu season is over. In the event of an outbreak, the hospital has masks available.”

Robert White, a regional epidemiologist working out of the Monongalia County Health Department, said people should be aware of their surroundings and to avoid individuals with flu-like symptoms.

“Personal hygiene counts that’s hand washing and covering your mouth,” White said. “As old as that message is and as tired as you get of hearing it, that’s what works.”

The University, on the other hand, has only taken one solid action in response to the flu outbreak.

The Office of International Programs canceled study abroad trips to Mexico this summer but refused to comment on the situation.

Juckett encourages students currently in Mexico to come home early and to monitor themselves for symptoms.

Students scheduled to go to Mexico are not worried about contracting the flu and do not believe more trips will be canceled.

“I didn’t have much of a reaction. I kind of expected it,” said Stephen Volker, a sophomore Spanish major whose summer study abroad trip to Mexico was canceled this week.

He still expects to go this fall, though, and is not worried about the virus.

“I was never nervous about the flu in the first place,” Volker said. “I think its being way overdramatized by the media.”

Sophomore Ashton Short’s trip to Mexico next spring is still a go, and she has few worries about the swine flu.

“I would be nervous to pick up any kind of sickness, but it’s not an extra threat for me,” Short said.

Juckett agrees that the cancelation was a necessary measure but canceling any other summer travel plans would be “very premature.”

“There are swine flu cases in the Southwest, in Texas and New York City, so domestic travel entails risk as well,” he said.

The World Health Organization has not recommended any border closings, although they discourage unnecessary travel to Mexico.

The risk level of swine flu has been elevated to Phase 5 or a worldwide pandemic.

Juckett said, however, this is not the first flu epidemic in the United States and emphasizes that most people recover from swine flu.

“Our last major flu pandemic occurred in 1968 before most of our students were born,” he said. “We have been overdue for another one. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of media fear-mongering that has created an undue amount of anxiety.”

He advises students do take some precautions and to use common sense while traveling and in their day-to-day lives.

“Avoid shaking hands, or wash your hands after doing so. Don’t eat or drink after others. Avoid close contact with sick people. An alcohol-based hand gel is very useful for cleaning one’s hands,” Juckett said.

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