Last paragraph updated at 5:45 p.m. on August, 31.
In response to the spread of the H1N1 virus, the Savannah College of Art and Design is implementing various protocols suggested for colleges and universities by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. SCAD is monitoring the spread of the H1N1 virus throughout the region and will continue to follow the direction of local and state officials.
While there have been no reports of the virus among SCAD students, faculty or staff, the university is taking proactive measures by encouraging the SCAD community to take precautionary steps to reduce the spread of this and other contagious illnesses.
SCAD will make widespread announcements to students when the H1N1 vaccine becomes available in the area. University officials plan to have vaccine shots available at SCAD for both the H1N1 (depending on vaccine availability) and seasonal flu. Additionally, students who are experiencing flu-like symptoms are asked to postpone their return to SCAD until they have been treated by a medical professional and have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.
These basic preventative steps can help stop the spread of the flu virus:
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- Early symptoms of the flu are fever, body aches and cough. Schedule an appointment with the health center at the first sign of illness.
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.
- Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active and eat right.
For more information about influenza and flu prevention, visit www.cdc.gov/flu or contact the Dean of Student’s Office in Savannah at 912-525-6980 or in Atlanta at 404-253-3400.
UPDATE
Dean of Students, Steve Larson, says that the four absence policy will remain in effect, and that they will work on a case by case basis with individual students as issues arise.
