Gov. targets students in H1N1 outreach

Like many other college campuses, the number of potential swine flu cases at this university is growing — more than 600 as of Friday — inciting government officials to hype up their outreach efforts.

In an attempt to reach what health officials are describing as one of the most at-risk populations — 5- to 24-year-olds — federal health organizations are taking to social media, encouraging young people to be mindful of spreading germs and to get a flu vaccine as soon as they're available.

"We've been tweeting and using Facebook," U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said during a conference call. "The H1N1 virus is just as, or more, dangerous than the seasonal flu. In worst cases, it's fatal and disproportionately, the target population [it's affecting] is young Americans under 25."

The department even sponsored a 2009 Flu Prevention PSA contest on YouTube to raise awareness about swine flu and promote the Flu.gov website — the winner will be announced Tuesday.

The contest required participants to create a short video that would encourage people to take common-sense steps necessary to help stop the spread of the virus, which, officials said, spreads like wildfire on college campuses.

The department is also making sure swine flu vaccinations are available to university students, as they are within the most susceptible age bracket.  

"Flu season has definitely begun," Sebelius said. "It has begun much earlier than we usually see it and it is similar to what we saw in the spring. Children and young adults are still being hit the hardest."

Though many students have said they don't think swine flu is more dangerous than seasonal flu, Sebelius said they should still get immunized.

"You want to keep in mind the age distribution," she said. "Most of the mortality in seasonal flu is people 65 and older; this flu has a disproportional effect on young people, so the hospital rates, for example, are the second highest among this 5- to 24-year-old age group."

Swine flu vaccinations, as promised, will be made available in mid-October, she said. Without the vaccination students risk contracting both seasonal and swine flu, which together would become a more dangerous strain.

Initially, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicted two shots would be needed, but now, health officials say one shot is sufficient.

The university will be on schedule in receiving H1N1 inoculations, said Kelly Kesler, the University Health Center's associate director for health promotion.

Including Maryland, there are 21 states that are reporting "widespread influenza activity," which Beth Bell, associate director for science at the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, said is "pretty unprecedented" for this time of year.

Until the vaccination is available, students should practice common sense regarding hand washing and covering a cough or sneeze with their elbow, Sebelius said.

"[Common sense health practices] sound kind of silly but are incredibly effective to stop this virus from traveling from person to person," Sebelius said, adding universities should have standardized procedures for when students start getting sick.

She suggested universities separate sick students from healthy ones by removing them from classes and joint-living situations until they are better.

But university officials are not condoning quarantining students. They recommend students who are sick to avoid interacting with others — in class, at the dining halls and for social activities.

botelho@umdbk.com