As of this morning, the media are reporting probable cases of Swine Flu at the University of Delaware, Notre Dame, San Diego State University and California State University at Long Beach.  Campuses have large populations of people living in close proximity, some of whom traveled to Mexico for Spring Break, so this should come as little surprise.  Click here to view the messaging occurring on the University of Delaware website.

If you are interested in tracking the swine flu in higher education institutions (including the diagnosis status of those infected), click on this link to a Google Map of the United States.

So, what should you be doing from a planning standpoint?  First, take a deep breath.  Then begin drafting proactive communications that you can share internally and with parents of current students about your pandemic planning efforts.  Next, develop a course of action should you have probable or confirmed cases of H1N1 that break out as students are leaving campus or once students have left campus but could have been spread while the students were on campus.  The more information you can share, the better.  Remember that you are reassuring your key audiences that you are actively planning (not sure anyone can ever be truly prepared) and that you value their personal health and the transparency of the institution.

Finally, make sure that you are keeping in close contact with your local department of health.  Your approaches to the situation, should you have Swine Flu cases, needs to be seamless.

-Teresa Valerio Parrot