Swine Flu Confirmed

[AuzmansMOM]

15 of 89 sickened doolies test positive for swine flu



BRIAN NEWSOME
The Gazette'Handful' of AFA doolies isolated for treatment of undetermined illness | isolated, members, force - Top Stories - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

Fifteen students at the Air Force Academy have tested positive for the H1N1 virus, and the number of those sickened with flu-like symptoms has risen to 89.

The students, all members of the 1,344-member incoming freshman class, have been isolated in a dorm. None has been hospitalized.

The students became ill over the past two days with upper respiratory problems, and specimens were sent to Brooks City-Base in San Antonio, Texas. for testing.

It was not immediately known if test results were pending for the dozens of other students, or if H1N1 had been ruled out for them.

The students’ illnesses could throw a wrench in what is a tight summer schedule before they start classes. A trip to Jack’s Valley, the academy’s version of boot camp, is scheduled to begin Monday.

AFA spokesman John Van Winkle said Jack’s Valley is still on for students well enough to go. A medical staff is present for it.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has recorded 174 confirmed or probable cases of in Colorado through July 4. There have been 20 such cases in El Paso County, according to recent figures from the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment.

The CDC reported Friday more than 37,000 confirmed or probable cases and 211 deaths nationally.

[fencersmother]

Confirmed! wow. I thought it would come out negative.

How long are they isolated, these poor doolies?

Medical turnbacks?

[PAtwindad]

Last night I started a prayer thread over on the community prayer group for 2009 BCT and this was the 1st request based on the information yesterday.

USAFA Community - BCT2009 Basic Prayer Requests

They are in good hands.... USAFA and the Lord's.

(Rom 8:28 ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

[PAtwindad]

Official USAFA Press Release
http://www.usafawebguy.com/blog/usafa-press-release

10 July, 2009

ACADEMY RESPONDING TO FLU CASES

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.

U.S.Air Force Academy health professionals are currently caring for a number of basic cadets exhibiting symptoms consistent with the Centers for Disease Control criteria for influenza like illness (ILI).

Since Monday, 88 cadets have met the CDC criteria for ILI. These cadets are receiving medical care at the USAF Clinic and have been separated from other basic cadets to prevent the spread of a potential air-borne virus. All cadets are doing well, and none require hospitalization.

Preliminary press reports that identified 15 basic cadets as having H1N1 are correct. Initial test results received from the Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine Epidemiology Lab at Brooks City Base, Texas, were confirmed Friday afternoon by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center. Health officials stress that H1N1 flu behaves similar to typical seasonal influenza and emphasize the need to take standard seasonal flu preventive measures such as hand washing and cough etiquette.

"We are taking the necessary precautions to educate and safeguard military and civilian personnel, as well as family members,” said Lieutenant General Mike Gould, Air Force Academy Superintendent. “The entire cadet wing and all USAFA personnel have been informed and given instructions of actions to take if flu-like symptoms are exhibited.” USAFA health officials are following Centers for Disease Control guidelines for treatment, testing and prevention and consulting with the CDC, Air Force Surgeon General and El Paso County Public Health Department. “This is a serious matter and we are treating it as such. We understand friends and family are concerned about their loved ones and we will release updates as information becomes available,” General Gould said.

For more information contact
USAFA Public Affairs Office at 719-333-7639. Updates will also be posted on www.usafa.af.mil

[trevsm&d]

How many days can you be sick and miss Basic before you are released?

Taffee

[stoneturtle]

I think it's 8 but given the scope of this, I'd not be surprised if they waived that.

[exekalbrmsb]

Hello everyone, I just saw the AOG Webguy asked for help to put this information out for Doolie Day Out Our son is a Basic Cadet in the Cobras CS 9 Squadron.

Thanks,
Bill

Message from USAFA Superintendent & Commandant

Submitted by admin on July 10, 2009 - 5:50pm
Message from USAFA Superintendent

As you may be aware, the Academy has confirmed that a number of cadets have been diagnosed with influenza like symptoms. These cadets have been separated from the rest of the cadet wing, are being treated and closely observed. At this point, some of the cases have been characterized as TYPE A, H1N1 Influenza. Our health officials are consulting with the CDC, the Air Force Surgeon General, and the El Paso County Public Health Department on matters of treatment and disease control. We are totally committed to providing your sons and daughters the best possible health care.
Given the current situation, regrettably, we are modifying our plans for Doolie Day Out. In lieu of visiting our sponsor families, we will conduct a relaxing and fun mid-BCT break for the Class of 2013 on base. This measure will ensure the health and well-being of both our cadets and our community. We appreciate your understanding and continued support of the Academy.
ALL BASICS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CALL HOME ON SATURDAY


Message from USAFA Commandant
Recognizing the long tradition of Doolie Day Out, we did not come to this decision lightly; however, civic responsibility dictates the need to limit exposure and potential spread to our local community. The purpose and intent of Doolie Day Out has been to give our basics a short reprieve from training with an opportunity to contact family and friends, eat some of the foods they may be craving, and simply relax. Typically the program gives them approximately eight hours away from the Academy. This year for Doolie Day Out, all training for the class of 2013 will be suspended at 8 pm Friday evening with the basic cadets being put “at rest” through Saturday at 5 pm. They will also be allowed to sleep in an extra three hours on Saturday morning. Following, breakfast, the class of 2013 will go over to Arnold Hall where the following activities will take place:

• Movies will be played all day in the auditorium
• Cell phones will be returned to those that brought them
• A phone bank will be installed for those basic cadets that don’t have a cell phone
• Video games in “The Alley” in Arnold Hall
• Lunch will consist of hamburgers, hot dogs, an ice cream bar, and any desserts that sponsor families deliver.
• Pizza will be provided in the afternoon.
• The basics will also have an opportunity to sleep if that is their desire

[Eileen]

Air Force Academy officials responding to flu cases

info and more links updated 3 hours ago

[DzMom]

I am sure under the circumstances USAFA will either waive Jacks Valley for this summer for those with the flu and they may have to do it next year. USAFA wants the cadets to succeed and this is a public health issue. My prayers go out to all of the class of 2013 for there well being.

[DGonsal760]

I dont think the 8 day rule will ever be waived, Jacks maybe rescheduled but they(basics) will have to go throught it.
David

[stoneturtle]

I hope they have to go through it! As hard as it is, it's really a great builder of confidence, and they'd really be cheated if they missed out (even if they don't feel that way now!)

But I hope also that cadets that miss 8 days because they are isolated, especially if they are not sick enough to be down and would otherwise have participated, won't be sent back home to wait for the next year.

[aggie83]

July 14th, 2009
67 Air Force Academy cadets have H1N1 flu
Posted: 01:48 PM ET
By Jim Spellman
CNN
DENVER, Colorado (CNN)– Sixty seven cadets at the Air Force Academy have confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza — the so-called swine flu — and another 30 are showing symptoms of the highly contagious virus, the academy said Tuesday.
None of the cadets have required hospitalization.
All of the 97 are incoming freshman, known as “Doolies” in academy slang, are in isolation while the rest of the class of about 1,300 are in outdoor
training in the mountains around the Colorado Springs academy.
Academy officials say Air Force medical personnel are treating the cadets and they
hope to have everyone out of isolation before the August 6th beginning of classes.
Another 70 showed symptoms of the swine flu, but tested negative and have recovered enough to return to training.
Cadets in the class of 2,013 arrived at the academy June 25. By July 6, academy medical staff began noticing an increase in cadets complaining of
upper respiratory problems. As cadets have begun showing symptoms they are moved into a separate dormitory away from other cadets.
Laboratory tests are conducted at an Air Force lab in Texas, and results are forwarded to the Center for Disease Control.
The outbreak forced academy officials to modify “Doolie Day Out” on Saturday. Traditionally it is the first day off for cadets and they are allowed to leave the academy grounds. This year cadets stayed on grounds.

[DzMom]

My son called last night to tell me the 67 confirmed cases of swine flu. He is preparing to go through CST. I expressed concern of those doolies who perhaps would not tell if they were not feeling well so they would not miss Jack Valley, thereby possibly continuing the swine flu ... He said he saw a picture (but not where he say it) in which doolies were in formation with thermometers in their mouths!! He is confident that all is being done to monitor the situation at USAFA.