The number of possible H1N1 cases reported at Penn for the first week of dorm occupancy, 25, is well below the national average for college campuses, according to University officials and the American College Health Association.
All of the Penn students with flu-like symptoms are recovering at home, said Matt Waller, director of Public Affairs and Communications in the office of the Vice Provost for University Life. Three of the students have been prescribed antiviral medication to prevent possible complications.
None of the students have been tested for H1N1, following procedures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Medically, we've been doing what we've been saying we were going to do, and we're not seeing any change in the nature of the cases from what everybody else has been reporting," Waller said.
The Penn community had several possible cases of H1N1 last semester and over the summer, Waller said.
He added that the number of cases reported last week represents an expected rise as students returned to campus for fall semester.
Flu remains relatively rare at Penn given its national prevalence. The number of possible new cases reported at Penn was about half the average for college campuses nationally and in Pennsylvania, according to numbers released yesterday by ACHA.
ACHA reported 21.5 new possible cases of H1N1 influenza per 10,000 U.S. students surveyed from September 5-11. The average for Pennsylvania was similar, with 21.6 new possible cases per 10,000 students.
Penn reported just 12.4 new possible cases per 10,000 full-time students from September 6-12.
In total, there have been 13,434 reported possible cases of H1N1 among college students since August 22, according to ACHA.
About half of the students with flu-like symptoms visited Student Health Service for diagnosis, Waller said.
SHS is still urging that all students with flu-like symptoms call the SHS dedicated flu helpline at 215-746-3535 to consult a nurse before attempting to schedule an appointment or come in to the SHS clinic.
Students with flu-like symptoms are asked to stay home from classes, work and public places until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.
Penn officials have made no formal attempts to relocate ill students or their roommates into alternate housing, Waller said.
"We're certainly heightened to those in the community who are concerned and those who are obviously sick and want to make sure we're getting them the attention they need," Waller said, "but at this point there's no change in recommendations or the plan."
