Swine Flu

Duke Law Bedeviled by Swine Flu

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Swine flu has struck firms. It has struck a district attorney’s office. Even though it’s summer, the nasty virus has now invaded at least one law school.
This year, a few Duke University Law School students are summer camp counselors instead of summer associates. Spending the summer with little kids instead of the BigLaw boys, and raking in four figures instead of five, must hurt a little. On top of that, these legal Blue Devils now have to deal with swine flu. From the Charlotte Observer:

There are 14 confirmed flu cases among campers and camp counselors at Duke University, campus officials say. Those 14 cases are probably the H1N1, or swine flu virus, officials said. More than a dozen other people have cases that are not yet confirmed.

It looks like a Duke Law student might be to blame for the outbreak. From a tipster:

A number of law students that are RAing for professors over the summer are working as supervisors of the [Talent Identification Program] and also teaching classes on the criminal justice system to the TIP students.

We received this email today:

“Dear All,
I write to inform you that a Law School student was seen by Duke Student Health Services this morning with symptoms that closely match those experienced by individuals with H1N1 Flu. An actual diagnosis will not be available until Monday, at the earliest. The student is at home recuperating from his symptoms and following recommended isolation procedures for those with H1N1-like symptoms.
We have contacted all individuals who were in a class with this student to alert them to a possible H1N1 exposure…”

Read the full e-mail after the jump. And an UPDATE (12:25 p.m.) on patient zero.


Here’s an update on the carrier Blue Devil, from a tipster:

The student that was referenced in the email as being tested came back positive, and the poor guy has been under quarantine in his house for the last week because they don’t want him to spread it. Luckily, I haven’t heard of any other law students catching it.

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At least he has more time to prepare for the upcoming OCI season. Hopefully, next summer will offer better job prospects and less pandemic disease.
E-MAIL FROM DUKE LAW ASSOCIATE DEAN GAEL HALLENBECK
From: Gael Hallenbeck
Date: Fri, Jun 26, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Subject: Law School H1N1 Update
To:
Dear All,
I write to inform you that a Law School student was seen by Duke Student Health Services this morning with symptoms that closely match those experienced by individuals with H1N1 Flu. An actual diagnosis will not be available until Monday, at the earliest. The student is at home recuperating from his symptoms and following recommended isolation procedures for those with H1N1-like symptoms.
We have contacted all individuals who were in a class with this student to alert them to a possible H1N1 exposure. We have been told that the H1N1 virus only survives on a surface for 2-8 hours. However, as a precautionary measure, we are also disinfecting surfaces in the classroom where the class was held and nearby bathrooms.
To repeat what has been said before, if you experience flu-like symptoms– fever with cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue– you may wish to contact your health care provider, or on evenings or the weekend, Duke Urgent Care on Hillandale Road and follow their advice regarding treatment and precautions.
If you are healthy, please take the following precautions:
-Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel.
-Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough into your shirt sleeve.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
-Wash your hands before eating.
-Do not share your food or drink with others.
-Avoid close contact with sick people.
As a side note, earlier this spring, anti-viral drugs, such as Tamiflu, were mentioned as possible prophylactic measures for those exposed to flu, including H1N1. The current thinking is that Tamiflu should only be administered only to exposed individuals who have some underlying condition that may compromise their immune system, such as some types of asthma. Of course, you should consult your own health care provider for advice on this matter.
Additional information about H1N1 flu and Dukes response to the H1N1 flu is available on a special website at: http://www.duke.edu/flu2009
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions or concerns. Gael
Gael A. Hallenbeck
Associate Dean for Finance & Administration
Duke University School of Law
PO Box 90362
Durham, NC 27708

14 flu cases at Duke Univ. summer camps [Charlotte Observer]
Earlier: Swine Flu in the Bronx D.A.’s Office
Breaking: Swine Flu at Mayer Brown (Chicago)

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