Mad cow. SARS. Avian flu. Swine flu. What's next? The never ending saga of epidemics has played out repeatedly in the media to the deep chagrin of the American public. American universities must be prepared to meet these new health risks without initiating mass hysteria across campus.
The threat of the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu, at the University has some students more fearful than others. As of now, Student Health has reported over 90 swine flu cases among students. This number is quickly rising, but the H1N1 influenza vaccine will be available to students by October 26. Luckily for the University and other schools across the country, the H1N1 strain has been relatively mild to this point. Despite the initial panic in mid-April 2009 which was largely generated by the mass media, the outbreak has not proved as deadly as some feared. The World Health Organization (WHO) had after all labeled the H1N1 virus a pandemic and declared it a "public health emergency". The University, in preparation for an outbreak, had been formulating plans for widespread illness from influenza for several years in conjunction with federal, state and local health offices.
When asked about the University's handling of the swine flu outbreak, Second-year CLAS student Jamie Daily said, "I feel that the University is doing a good job handling swine flu, but I also feel that people make too much of a fuss over it. Swine flu isn't that bothersome to me because it's no worse than the regular flu." This seems to be the sentiment among a vast majority of students at the University as well as across the country. It's true, the University is handling the current outbreak of the H1N1 influenza well, largely due to the fact that the current H1N1 strain is relatively mild. Students are receiving frequent updates and are being inundated with health information. The University has also implemented virus fighting methods such as installing hand-sanitizing dispensers across campus and handing out face masks. Students who are ill have been told to stay home and "self-isolate" themselves, and all cases have reportedly been mild. What more can a public institution do?
Had the H1N1 strain proved more severe though, we might have faced a bleaker outcome. To many, the University's measures appear extreme, especially when most cases of the H1N1 strain have developed mild to moderate symptoms similar to those of the seasonal flu. In fact, there have been complaints among students that the swine flu hype is unnecessary and causing undue anxiety throughout the community. In the face of a more severe pandemic though, such a casual approach as taken by the University would have proven deadly. A large part of the University's plan relies on personal "self-isolation" and the forecasted mass vaccinations due to arrive in October. According to the CDC, "Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for control of influenza." Relying on a vaccine as an essential part of an institution's outbreak plan is problematic though. Vaccines take time to produce and distribute. During this time, a contagious disease can spread rapidly through the community. It was originally thought that the H1N1 vaccine would require two doses over a five week period. If this had been the case, the vaccine would not have been effective until the end of the semester, by which time many students would have already been infected. Had the strain been more severe, an outbreak on campus could have been lethal. Fortunately, on September 10, the Food and Drug Administration confirmed that only one dose would be needed to provide immunity.
There is great debate about what is appropriate action for a university to take in light of a pandemic, and universities across the country have had mixed reactions. Some schools have taken steps further establishing certain areas as quarantine locations. For example, Emory University has established a quarantine dorm for students with swine flu where more than 100 Emory students are currently recuperating. The students are given free meals and flu medications as they recover. Other schools are sending students with the flu home to recuperate. The University's apparent lack of an isolation plan is troubling. Students who have contracted the virus at the University are kept in dormitories with healthy students and are personally responsible for self-isolation. While they are told to stay in their rooms, they no doubt must use the dormitory bathrooms and may even expose healthy roommates to the virus. Without a specific quarantine facility, there is also no means for ensuring that a student who has contracted the virus remains well enough to properly care for themselves.
Pandemics and health crises will become more commonplace in the 21st century due to economic globalization. Even bio-terrorrism threatens to uproot society. The constantly changing environment in which we live poses new, daily health risks, particularly the faster spread of contagious viruses. With increased air travel and a global market, the spread of viruses from one country and continent to the next is inevitable. National Universities must be prepared to meet these new health risks.
Luckily, swine flu has not proven as deadly as past pandemics such as the 1918 Spanish flu which claimed the lives of mostly healthy young adults. New technologies and improved medicine have developed since the deadly epidemics of the 1900s. Even so, we must not become complacent when it comes to knowledge of new pandemics. Being overly cautious and generating hype will in fact be beneficial in combating disease. It is also important not to become immune to the severity of a pandemic. Pandemics can last for years and viruses can mutate rapidly with other diseases. Many outbreaks also often have a second wave, which can be more severe than the first. The University must continue to look to the future and prepare for an epidemic that could be much worse than the swine flu of 2009.
Ashley Chappo is a Viewpoint writer for The Cavalier Daily.
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