SUNY Oneonta campus gears up for Fall semester, and possibility of H1N1

By By MIKE LaFAVE

Story Created: Sep 2, 2009 at 3:19 PM EST

Story Updated: Sep 2, 2009 at 4:21 PM EST

ONEONTA, N.Y. (WKTV) - A local college is taking, small, but serious precautions to prevent the spread of swine flu as another Fall Semester gets underway.

To combat the H1N1 Virus, SUNY Oneonta is preparing a hand-washing campaign for the coming weeks.

The school is also asking students with flu-like symptoms to notify staff, and they will be provided with a mask.

In order to make their student body fully informed, the school is updating its website with information released from public health. But Ricky O'Donnel, the college's Director of Student Health Services, said she can't stress enough the importance of washing your hands.

"To protect themselves, the biggest thing they need to do is wash their hands," O'Donnel said. "I don't want to start paranoia with them, but they need to stay healthy to be successful academically. What can they do to help them help themselves, is wash their hands."

O'Donnel says that despite fears, there hasn't been a substantial increase in students coming to health services compared to previous Fall semesters.
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