Although the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 pandemic over on August 10, College Health Services is still preparing for the onslaught of seasonal flu.
The H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, swept the globe last year, infecting hundreds of thousands of people, including over 200 Bowdoin students.
In response to the high-infection rate last year, the College set up quarantine rooms in Chamberlain Hall during September to contain transmission of the virus.
Director of Bowdoin College Health Services Sandra Hayes is hoping that, because the H1N1 virus is no long seen as a threat, a far less drastic response will be required during the upcoming flu season.
"This year we are are not as worried," she said. "But we haven't taken it off our plate completely."
Though the Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC) has yet to declare any cases of seasonal flu in the state, Hayes said she expects that the College will "see some seasonal flu as we always do."
However, the number of cases of flu at Bowdoin last year was certainly an exception, said Hayes.
Health Services normally sees "relatively few" cases, she said. Usually "only about one or two percent" of students are infected with seasonal flu per year.
But Health Services is not taking any risks.
"We are offering flu clinics. Students will be notified through the [student] digest and there will be one or two every week," said Hayes.
As in years past, students will be able to receive the flu vaccine at the clinics.
"Last year, people had to get two vaccinations. One for the season flu and one for H1N1," said Hayes.
This year, students will only be given one shot when and if they choose to attend the upcoming clinics.
According to the Maine CDC, "the 2010 to 2011 flu vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the 2009 H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season."
Hayes said she is hoping students will take advantage of the clinics.
"It is the best way to stop any outbreak on campus because we are a residential community," she said.
College Health Services will also be working with PEER Health to make sure students know how to avoid getting sick.
"We will be doing education outreach like we did last year and we do every year," Hayes said.
Hayes says she hopes "people will be interested more this year because of the H1N1 out break last year."