A Study of Exclusion Criteria in a University Population

Much of community transmission of seasonal and pandemic influenza occurs in younger
individuals, because of their susceptibility and their social interaction
patterns.Universities are places where transmission of influenza is facilitated because of
the age of individuals involved, their close contact with each other, and low vaccination
coverage. Staying home when you are sick (i.e., voluntary sequestration) has been identified
as one of the most efficient ways to reduce influenza transmission, but there are still
insufficient data on the effects of social distancing to be able to make recommendations for
future pandemics or even outbreaks of seasonal influenza.

The investigators are conducting a study on the effect of voluntary sequestration during
illness on the transmission of influenza among social networks in University residence
housing units at the University of Michigan. The sequestration interventions will be carried
out during a period of influenza transmission that is defined by surveillance conducted at
the University Health Service. Data will be collected on use of the interventions and the
occurrence of influenza and other illnesses. In all selected residence halls, specimens will
be collected when illness meeting a case definition for influenza-like illness occurs.

This study in a university population will evaluate the acceptability and magnitude of
effect that can be expected from such an intervention, and determine the number of days that
sequestration should be practiced.