NWU studying policies to address possible flu pandemic

Nebraska Wesleyan University has joined companies, governments, and schools nationwide in preparing a plan to cope with a potential pandemic flu outbreak. The Wesleyan Pandemic Influenza Response Planning Team was formed in June to prepare a response plan that will help ensure the safety and well being of faculty, staff, and students.

The avian flu has yet to reach the United States, but health officials have advised people across the country to begin preparations for a possible pandemic. Nebraska Wesleyan’s task force, for example, is meeting weekly to address issues such as class suspension, special sick leave policies for employees and students, contingency plans for students who depend on student housing and food services; increased medical supplies, and a recovery plan.

Since 2003, the deadly avian H5N1 virus has been confirmed in 53 countries. The number of reported human cases is 240, with 141 resulting in death. The first human-to-human transmission was confirmed in Indonesia where six of the seven family members who contracted the virus died.

To date:

• NWU formed the Pandemic Influenza Response Planning Team of campus experts and key response departments to conduct pre-event planning and prepare specific pandemic flu response procedures.
• The task force participated in a webinar provided by EIIA, the University’s insurance provider. The webinar further educated participants about various consequences of a flu pandemic.
• The task force met with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department to review its plan and evaluate how Nebraska Wesleyan is affected by the city/county plan.
• The task force participated in the Health Department’s tabletop exercise, held in June at BryanLGH West. Other participants included BryanLGH, St. Elizabeth Regional Health Center, the Nebraska Heart Hospital, Lancaster County Emergency Management, Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Lincoln Police Department, Lincoln Electric System, Lincoln Public Schools, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
• NWU is utilizing a checklist from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assist colleges and universities in developing and improving plans to prepare and respond to an influenza pandemic.
• The task force is working with Sodexho (Wesleyan’s food service provider) and Securitas (Security provider) to incorporate their response plans into the University’s overall response plan.
• The task force is finalizing its flu pandemic plan, which will soon be available to the public.

Clark Chandler, Vice President for Finance and Administration and the University’s pandemic coordinator, said the task force will continue its work on a response plan and will continue to participate in tabletop exercises. Faculty, staff, and students will continue to be updated on the University’s plan.

One thing the campus community can do to stay healthy is get a flu shot, Chandler said. While the flu shot won’t necessarily protect from the specific strain that health officials are warning about, it is still important for people to follow general health rules including washing hands, staying home when sick, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. Student Health Services will have flu shots this fall, however, it is not known how many doses will be available.

Task force members are:

• Jeri Brandt, Professor of Nursing
• Clark Chandler, Vice President for Finance and Administration
• Steve Dow, Director of Computing Services and Instructional Technology
• Robyn Drake, Manager of Housing Operations
• Bob Fairchild, Professor of Physics, Faculty President
• Matt Kadavy, Assistant Vice President and Director of Physical Plant
• Nancy Newman, Director of Student Health Services
• Sara Olson, Director of Public Relations
• Ken Sieg, Director of Enrollment Systems

Students enrolled in the Population Based Nursing Practice class are also assisting the task force. Students are Miranda Kliment, Rosalena Livers, Allison Meyer, Patricia Solomos, and Jessica Sornson. Leeza Moyer is the course instructor.

For further information about avian flu:

Colleges and Universities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist

Pandemic Planning Update II

U.S. Centers for Disease Control

Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department

Task force members are also reminding employees to begin thinking about personal pandemic plans for their homes. For a PDF containing a personal checklist for individuals and families click here.