MOUNT VERNON — Test results from the Ohio Department of Health have confirmed that a Kenyon College student suspected of having the H1N1 virus has tested positive for the virus. The student was one of several students who exhibited flu-like symptoms late last week. All students were treated with anti-viral medication and have recovered.
“Kenyon was very proactive in dealing with the case,” said Jackie Fletcher, director of nursing for the Knox County Health Department. “When the situation first came to light last week, health officials at the school took immediate action to treat the students and contain the virus.”
Kenyon has kept students and faculty informed of the situation through e-mails and its Web site.
The H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, first appeared in the spring in Mexico.
Since the appearance of H1N1 virus, ODH has changed the testing requirements for individuals with flu-like symptoms and suspected for H1N1. Currently, ODH is only testing individuals who have been hospitalized with flu-like symptoms or those in a cluster of people exhibiting symptoms. Such was the case with the Kenyon student, who was a member of a sports team that had returned to campus early for preseason practice.
