Update: December 4, 2009
H1N1 Vaccination Clinic TODAY!
Students are reminded that today is the free H1N1 vaccination clinic at Yankton High School. Transportation to the clinic will be provided by Mount Marty and will depart from Cimpl Arena in several shifts for the Noon – 1:00 p.m. time reserved for Mount Marty.  Individuals are asked to report to Cimpl Arena between 11:30 and 12:30 today to complete the necessary paperwork required for the clinic.  Transportation will continue to run until all participating students and staff have been returned to campus.

Update: December 1, 2009
H1N1 Vaccination Departure Times
Students and employees who signed up for the free H1N1 flu vaccination clinic this Friday are reminded to report to Cimpl Arena beginning at 11:30 a.m.  Shift times are 11:30, Noon, and 12:30.  Students who do not have a 1:00 class are encouraged to report at those later times.  The reserved time for Mount Marty students is from Noon to 1 p.m.

Students and staff interested in receiving the free H1N1 flu vaccination on Friday who did not sign up are still encouraged to participate.  Please show up at Cimpl Arena for the required paperwork and wait for transportation.

Update: November 23, 2009
Sign ups are being held November 23, 24 and 30 for the free H1N1 flu vaccination clinic scheduled for December 4 from Noon to 1 p.m.  Students are encouraged to sign up and arrange for a sack lunch if necessary.  Also, students who do not have 1:00 classes are encouraged to sign up for later departure times.

Update: November 17, 2009
A free H1N1 flu vaccination clinic has been arranged for December 4 from Noon – 1 p.m. for Mount Marty students and eligible employees.  Sign-ups for the clinic will be held November 24, 25 and 30th in Roncalli.

Update: November 16, 2009
Separate H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Set Aside for Mount Marty Students

Students interested in receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine may do so at a special clinic scheduled for December 4 from noon- 1 p.m.  This time slot is reserved for Mount Marty students between the ages of 18 and 24 only.  The free clinic will be held off-campus, but transportation will be provided for those who are interested.  Watch here for updated details in the weeks to come.

Update:  October 26, 2009
The seasonal flu shot clinic scheduled for Wednesday, October 27 has been postponed due to delayed delivery of the vaccine.  The upcoming  seasonal flu clinic date will be announced when the vaccine becomes available.

Update:  October 22, 2009
Mount Marty College has been notified by local emergency management officials that a community-wide vaccination clinic has been postponed by the South Dakota Department of Health due to a shortage of vaccines.  Students, faculty and staff interested in receiving the H1N1 vaccine will need to obtain one upon their own initiative.

A seasonal flu vaccination clinic will be held on campus Tuesday, October 27 from 8 a.m. to noon in the South Dining Room of Roncalli.  A limited number of vaccinations are available at $5 per student or $10 per college employee.

Update:  October 21, 2009
A report from local emergency management officials was received today regarding the campus-wide evacuation drill held October 14.  The campus was given high marks for the orderly cooperation of the employees and students who successfully evacuated campus buildings in less than 20 minutes.

Update:  October 14, 2009
At 9:00 a.m., an evacuation drill of the Mount Marty campus in Yankton was held. All students, employees and guests were relocated to Laddie E. Cimpl Arena.  This type of evacuation process would be used in the event of a bomb threat or chemical spill on or in the vicinity of campus.  While at the arena, a presentation was provided to inform students and employees of the H1N1 symptoms with recommendations for prevention and treatment of those infected.  Students have been encouraged to practice “self-isolation” if they are sick and to seek medical attention.

H1N1 Information
Novel influenza A (H1N1) was first detected in April 2009.  College-aged students are considered especially at risk, however the illness in this age group has not been severe. Pandemic influenza, however, is unpredictable.

Mount Marty College has been working closely with the South Dakota Department of Health and local authorities in immunization planning.  Preventing the spread of infection to minimize absenteeism and disruption of education is a key part of the plan.    

Regular and thorough maintenance of campus facilities play a large role in preventing the spread of this and other viruses.

• Common bathrooms and common areas are cleaned on a daily basis.
• All surfaces are cleaned with EPA-approved disinfectant.
• Floors are either swept with a filtered vacuum or mopped with EPA-approved disinfectant. 

Students and Employees are advised to follow these sanitary procedures:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Soap the hands for about 15 seconds (the length of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" once).
• Use waterless, alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and before entering the dining halls to eat. Hand sanitizer is available at several stations throughout campus.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough to sneeze, using a tissue or your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Try to avoid close contact (within 6 feet) of sick people.  
  

Students and Employees are advised to stay away from classes and work if the following symptoms present themselves:

• Fever greater than 100 degrees F (without fever reducer)
• Cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue
• Can include diarrhea and vomiting  
  

If you feel sick:
Try to limit contact with others as much as possible.  Do not go home unless absolutely necessary… going home only spreads the virus to other communities.

• Notify your advisor, your faculty, and your family. 
• Please do not attend group gatherings, including class, while you're ill.  Make arrangements with your instructors for make-up work, if necessary.
• If you have questions about your illness, call Student Health Service at 668-1587, or the Yankton Medical Clinic (605) 665-7841.
• You should remain in your residence hall room, apartment, or home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications).
• If you have purchased a campus meal plan and need food delivered to your room during this time period, please call Mount Marty Student Affairs at (605) 668-1541 and ask about the Flu Meal Program.  
• If you have an influenza-like illness, and you must leave your home or residence hall room (for example, to seek medical care or other necessities), please cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• A surgical loose-fitting mask can be helpful if you have access to these, but a tissue or other covering is appropriate as well.
  

You should seek medical care with influenza symptoms or if you have been exposed to influenza, if you

• Have any signs of the H1N1 virus (fever, cough, etc.)
• Are 65 years of age or older
  • Have any of the following conditions: 
  • Chronic lung conditions, including asthma
  • Pregnancy
  • Diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease
  • Immunosuppression
• Are Younger than age 19 and receiving long-term aspirin therapy  
• It is also advisable to seek medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough  

Updates and Resources:                
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Web site:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm.                
• Taking Care of a Sick Person: Roommates, household members, or those caring for an ill person should follow guidance developed for caring for sick persons at home.
• Call Student Health Services at 668-1587 or the Yankton Medical Clinic (605) 665-7841 for information.                   
• Also, see CDC's Interim Guidance for H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Taking Care of a sick person in your home: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm.MMC Health Services
Contact Susan Thorson | 668.1587 sthorson@mtmc.edu