NTC is continuing to closely monitor developments related to the H1N1 influenza virus. So far, only a very limited number of doses of H1N1 vaccine have arrived in Wisconsin.  Local Health Departments and medical facilities have been instructed to give the H1N1 vaccine to the highest priority groups who need the vaccine the most.

If  you:

• are pregnant
• have a child and/or adolescents aged 5-18 years who have a chronic medical condition
• live or care for children aged less than 6 months
• have children aged 6 months – 4 years

Your health care provider may have you wait to vaccinate healthy 6 month - 4 year olds until more vaccine is available. If you or your children are not in one of these groups, you will need to wait until more vaccine is available.  

Once there is more H1N1 vaccine, the health department will indicate who else is eligible to receive the vaccine.

Mass school and community vaccination clinics will occur when vaccine becomes more readily available. It is possible that clinics will be held in various community settings across Marathon County in coming weeks; however, it is unknown at this time if NTC will remain as a site location given the change in focus for the priority vaccination groups. We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available.

As a precautionary measure, NTC is continuing to closely monitor developments related to the H1N1 influenza virus. We have been in constant contact with local county health departments to ensure the College is adequately prepared for the threat of an H1N1 outbreak.  At this time, there is is no cause for heightened concern on campus. However, we would like to take a proactive approach to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of the NTC campus community.
We encourage you to please continue to monitor yourself for symptoms of H1N1. Symptoms may include:

• Fever (usually high)
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle Aches
• Stomach symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, can also occur but are more common in children than adults

To limit the spread of disease, everyone on campus must consider it prudent to stay home from work and class at the first sign of influenza symptoms (fever of 100 degrees F/37.8 degrees C or higher with cough or sore throat) until at least 24 hours after they have been completely fever-free (without fever-reducing medication). For most people, this takes three to five days (healthcare workers, including students and faculty in clinical settings, must stay out for a minimum of seven days from symptom onset).
A new vaccine for H1N1 will be available in October and H1N1 flu shots will be available at clinics in the community.   While anyone can get the H1N1 virus, the vaccine is recommended for those considered at high risk of developing complications including: pregnant women, individuals caring for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, all individuals from 6 months through 24 years of age and persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. We are working with the health departments to coordinate an H1N1 flu clinic at NTC when the vaccine becomes available.

We also recommend that you receive a seasonal flu shot. NTC will be hosting a flu clinic on the Wausau campus on September 28 from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  The vaccination will be available to students and staff on a first come, first service basis with your student/employee ID. Please watch for information coming soon on the regional campus seasonal flu clinics.
Support your own good health with frequent hand washing and trying to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Influenza virus spreads through close contact with respiratory droplets, which generally means touching a contaminated surface with your hands and then touching your hands to your face. These hygiene measures are among the most powerful precautions you can take for yourself, as it will be impossible for every surface to be disinfected every time anyone touches it.
Our commitment is to maintain a health NTC campus community. Please check back for additional information and updates.