CU officials have canceled Monday’s Midnight Breakfast after three suspected cases of the A(H1N1) virus broke out on campus.
One student, who lives on campus, was identified as a probable case while two others are suspected. According to Dr. Pamela Talley, a Wardenburg physician, all three students have been in self-isolation to avoid spreading the virus. The students did not have contact with each other prior to contracting the virus, nor did they travel to affected areas.
The university has installed signs around campus and dining halls are offering hand sanitizer and face masks to students, said Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Julie Wong. Officials are canceling non-essential activities, like Monday’s Midnight Breakfast, as a precaution. Other essential activities — finals and graduation — will proceed as planned.
“Because it’s a novel virus and because of the uncertainty around the virus, we feel taking more proactive steps is really warranted,” said Dr. Ned Calonge, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s chief medical officer.
Talley said that this strain is no more dangerous to the “average CU student” than the common seasonal flu. However, she and others stressed the importance of washing hands and covering coughs. In addition, pregnant women, parents of small children and those with suppressed immune systems should avoid public gatherings, where risk of contagion is high.
Contact CU Independent Managing Editor Danielle Alberti at Alberti@colorado.edu.
