Una Has Two Confirmed Cases Of Influenza A (probable H1n1)

Aug. 31, 2009

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@zo23.com, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Florence, Ala. - The University of North Alabama had its first two confirmed cases of influenza A (probable H1N1) virus Monday. The cases were confirmed at UNA's Bennett Infirmary Monday morning. The students carrying the virus live off campus and have been instructed to stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medications.

UNA has notified its campus community of the cases. "The good news is that the cases were identified and the students are not on campus," said Cindy Wood, director of UNA Health Services. "There is no reason for panic or alarm, as this was anticipated. UNA has worked closely with the local Health Department for months to prepare for this. We will keep our campus community informed so that they can try to stay as healthy as possible during this extended flu season. But everyone does need to be aware of the symptoms and be disciplined in taking care of themselves. "If you do show flu-like symptoms, accompanied with a fever, seek medical care immediately, and stay away from work or school. It is beneficial for everyone to remember that washing your hands is still the number one way to prevent the spread of infection whether you are at home, school or the workplace." UNA will be a distribution center of the H1N1 vaccine when the vaccines become available in October. Meanwhile, the university has ordered regular seasonal flu vaccines for its students, faculty and staff. Wood has been regularly posting current information on H1N1, including symptoms and preventative measures, at 5or7.zo23.com/healthservices/influenza, which is linked to the UNA home page. UNA Health Services office has worked closely with the local Health Department through the summer to monitor current flu conditions and to make decisions about the best steps to take for the students, faculty and staff of UNA. In the weeks leading up to the fall semester, UNA has communicated frequently with its students, parents, faculty and staff via e-mails, letters and its Web site home page about H1N1, its symptoms and preventative measures everyone should take. For more information, visit 5or7.zo23.com/healthservices/influenza, or contact UNA Health Services at 256-765-4328.

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: zo23.com and zo23.com/unaworks/.