Despite this risk in an area so proximate to Washington University, school officials did not inform the community of contamination. Although we recognize that the risk of E. coli infections to most college-aged men and women is relatively low, a lack of formal notice from University officials fails to take advantage of the resources that already exist for events like these.

Most students are familiar with the University’s emergency notification system, primarily through emails and text messages we receive during its periodic testing. The system is intended not only to inform students of major threats to safety such as an armed intruder, but also more manageable situations like severe weather. The threat from an E. coli contamination at local grocery stores seems to coincide with the purposes of this system. Had the University lacked a vehicle to easily inform students about the threat of E. coli, perhaps it would have been understandable for it to remain silent; however, the means to inform students about a local E. coli contamination are clearly in place.

While repetitive text messages prompting students for a response to indicate receipt would be over the top, a University-wide email could have efficiently provided us with information about the bacteria, the health risks it poses, symptoms of an infection, and how to avoid coming in contact with the pathogen. While college-aged students often take it upon themselves to read local news, the assumption that perusal of local headlines would provide adequate information to all students about E. coli could be dangerous. An uninformed student could get extremely sick.

While some might argue that the threat of E. coli was not severe enough to warrant a notification from the University, this also raises the point that word from trusted officials might have calmed students unduly worried about risks to their health. A simple message that warned students of the potential risk of consuming E. coli-contaminated food could also provide assurance that the University does not sell food from tainted sources in campus eateries, or provide a list of safe restaurants and grocery stores for students to shop who frequently eat off campus. If the University took steps to protect its students from the dangerous bacteria, we were completely unaware.

In the future, the University should clarify major public health issues in the city of St. Louis for students. While the probability of serious health consequences may be low in these cases, taking preventative measures as simple as a mass email could save both students and faculty from consuming contaminated products.

The University sent an e-mail in August to all students addressing the possibility of an imminent outbreak. The message, titled “Preparation for H1N1 Flu,” described, in detail, the steps students can take to protect themselves and their friends from contracting the virus.

The e-mail also listed actions that students must take should they begin to develop symptoms akin to those associated with the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu.

As a preparatory measure, the University appointed an Emerging Infectious Disease Task Force last spring when the swine flu epidemic first hit. The task force is headed by Alan Glass, assistant vice chancellor and director for the Habif Health and Wellness Center.

“The Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force has been meeting regularly since last spring to develop a comprehensive response plan to the emergence of the H1N1 virus,” Glass wrote in an e-mail to Student Life.

“This plan includes communication strategies, plans for the care of ill students, procurement of supplies, vaccine distribution and isolation of students to help prevent spread of the virus.”

This fall, students will see newly installed hand sanitizers in most buildings on campus and near major dining areas and restrooms—a component of the University’s response.

“Hand hygiene remains one of the most important ways to protect yourself from being exposed to influenza,” Glass wrote.

“The hand sanitizers are really convenient. I see them everywhere, and I can use them wherever I go on campus,” sophomore Helen Clawitter said. “I am beginning to form a habit of using hand sanitizers, and I think it is a really important and good measure for the school to take during flu seasons.”

As with previous flu seasons, flu vaccines will be offered at the student health center.

“There will be two types of flu vaccination this year,” Glass wrote. “Seasonal influenza vaccine will be available beginning next week to students. H1N1 vaccine will likely be available later in the fall and plans are being made for a large scale vaccination clinic once this vaccine becomes available.”

The seasonal flu vaccine, however, will not protect students against the H1N1 flu, since the H1N1 virus differs a lot from seasonal flu viruses.

According to Glass, there will be a large University-wide informational campaign focused on how to protect oneself from influenza and what to do in the event of contracting the virus.

Swine flu has been the subject of extensive national news coverage this past spring and summer, when initial cases were reported out of Mexico.

Soon after, the United States became one of the hardest hit nations. By mid-June, the total number of cases reported in the United States had surpassed the number of cases reported in Mexico.

In late June, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a statement saying that there might have been at least 1 million cases within the United States, most of them undiagnosed or unreported.

Despite the recent, relative calmness surrounding swine flu, the CDC has maintained a level of concern and alertness in anticipation of another outbreak in the fall and winter flu seasons—with possibly more severe cases this time.

According to health-care officials, people between 6 months and 24 years old are most susceptible to contracting swine flu, drawing concerns from school officials as students returned to campus this fall.

For updated information on swine flu, students can visit http://emergency.wustl.edu and http://shs.wustl.edu.