In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first cases of infection from a new strain of influenza virus, originally called "swine flu", and now appropriately called novel Type A H1N1 influenza, or simply H1N1 flu.  The virus has spread rapidly across the world, and the World Health Organization has declared a worldwide epidemic, or pandemic.

H1N1 flu is a newly evolved strain of influenza, different from "seasonal influenza" that typically occurs regionally only during the winter months, and spreads less readily.   At this time, H1N1 infections appear to be causing symptoms usually associated with seasonal influenza, but the concern about H1N1 is in its ability to spread, rather than its ability to cause widespread life-threatening disease.

H1N1 influenza has spread to all regions, and young adults 19-24 years of age are part of the high risk group for getting infected.  As a result, The University of Scranton has assembled an H1N1 Task Force of health care professionals, faculty, administration and professional staff to respond to this emerging situation.  This web page is meant to be an updated resource to inform students, parents, faculty and staff of the current H1N1 situation on campus and how The University of Scranton is responding to it.

At this time, a vaccine for H1N1 flu is under development, and it may be released in November.  The "flu shot" that is currently available at local pharmacies and physicians' offices is for seasonal flu, and provides no protection for H1N1 virus infection.

Additional information about the H1N1 flu vaccine will be provided as updates become available.