A Cal State Long Beach student received a ‘probable positive’ test result for swine flu.
The Long Beach Health Department informed the university of the affected student late Tuesday, and early Wednesday morning CSULB Beach President F. King Alexander sent a campus-wide e-mail with information about the student, symptoms of swine flu and a hotline for anyone to call if they have any questions specific to swine flu.
A student at San Diego State University might have also tested positive for the swine flu. As of Wednesday, Cal State Northridge had not reported any cases.
The Long Beach student who may have been infected lived in the Los Alamitos residence hall. The roommate of the possibly infected student has been moved to a different room where he or she will remain until further notice.
Residents of Los Alamitos said they are not overly concerned about catching the virus.
‘I’m not too worried about it. The health center is right up the street so if I ever start to feel flu like symptoms I will definitely go there first,’ said CSULB junior liberal studies major Stacey Burkhardt. ‘I feel safe because the cleaning staff does a really good job around the dorms, I’ve been washing my hands a lot more and if I feel sick I know that have to take care it right away.’
Burkhardt’s roommate had the same feeling and did not feel threatened by the virus.
According to the CSULB website, ‘We are updating physicians and other medical providers and encouraging them to test any patients that may be experiencing any influenza-like illness, including but not limited to fever, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.’
A receptionist in the’ LBSU administrative office of the Student Health Services center said Wednesday morning that Director Michael Carbuto was in Alexander’s office. She said that Carbuto had advised the staff to refer any questions regarding swine flu to the public affairs administration.
Long Beach students, faculty and staff alike are concerned for their health. One student said one of her classes was cancelled as a result of the possibly infected student.
‘I received an e-mail from my teacher and the student enrollment services this morning saying that my history class was cancelled. The student had symptoms and is waiting for test results,’ said Katelyn Nelson, a freshman undeclared.
San’ Diego State University officials said Wednesday that a female student who lives off campus was receiving treatment for a suspected case of swine’ flu. Students and faculty that were exposed to her are being asked to report any symptoms of illness, said SDSU spokeswoman Gina Jacobs.
In response to the case at CSULB, Long Beach City Health Officer Helene Calvet declared a local health emergency, allowing the department to request the release of a local stockpile of Tamiflu to treat others potentially affected.
The Daily Sundial and Associated Press contributed to this story.
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