Members of the Queen’s community are being encouraged to keep washing their hands and to cough or sneeze into their sleeves over the Thanksgiving weekend with its traditional gatherings of family and friends

As expected, there is flu-like illness on campus, including H1N1, which appears to be this year's predominant flu strain.

“Local cases continue to be mild and individuals are staying home and recovering well,” says Dr. Suzanne Billing, Medical Director, Student Health Services. “This is all consistent with the flu season that's just ending in the Southern Hemisphere, and with what other universities in North America have been experiencing.”

Dr. Billing suggests if students become ill with flu-like symptoms (fever/chills, cough, sore throat, muscle aches) while at home this weekend, they should consider delaying their return to campus and if appropriate, let someone at Queen’s know they are ill.

An H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available later this fall. Queen's is talking to local public health authorities about the scheduling of community clinics on campus. The vaccine will also be available for students at Student Health Services.

The University and the public health unit are watching the flu activity on campus, and faculty members have been making plans to respond to higher-than-usual rates of illness among students and instructors should that occur.

A new Q and A document for employees has been posted to Queen's pandemic planning website at www.queensu.ca/pandemic/facultystaff.html