The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) announces a fourth probable case of the H1N1 virus (swine flu). A student at Johnson & Wales University in Providence is considered a probable case because the student is exhibiting symptoms of the flu and recently traveled to New York City. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will do testing to determine if this is a confirmed case. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in Rhode Island.
The student lives off campus and does not use the university’s dining facilities. The student is being treated with antiviral medications and is resting at home. All close contacts of the student have been evaluated and those that HEALTH considers to be at high-risk were given antivirals as a precaution.
Out of an abundance of caution, HEALTH has recommended that Johnson & Wales University cancel all classes and weekend activities at both the Providence and Harborside campuses through Sunday night. HEALTH will gather more detailed epidemiological information over the weekend and will assess whether classes and activities next week will be cancelled.
If any Johnson and Wales student experiences flu-like symptoms (fever and cough or sore throat) and has traveled to an outbreak area, they should go to campus health services or to their primary healthcare provider. The student health center will be opened on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
For questions, call HEALTH’s Swine Flu Information Line at 401-222-8022 (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). For more information, visit http://www.health.ri.gov.