Helping Protect Yourself, Our Campus, and Our Greater Community
Boise State is committed to doing all we can as a university to prevent and/or minimize the spread of communicable diseases and their consequences, as well as addressing public health concerns. Together we can support a safe working, learning, and living environment for ourselves, each other, and our community.
Vaccines
Vaccination clinics have closed for the season. Fall offerings will be posted in early August. The current political landscape may mean it’s more difficult to access the COVID vaccine this fall. We will try to post current information on the availability of this vaccine as it is announced. It will be very important to check with your insurer to make sure they will cover the cost of the vaccine before receiving it.
Measles
Measles cases have now been identified in Idaho. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and rash. The disease is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in communities with low vaccination rates. If you think you have been exposed to measles, you should monitor for symptoms for 21 days. The measles vaccine is highly effective, with one dose providing about 93% protection and two doses offering 97% effectiveness. We encourage you to verify your MMR vaccination status with your health care provider. If you think you have measles, please call Boise State Public Health at (208) 426-1523 for appropriate next steps.
Whooping Cough
Ada County is experiencing an outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis) with over 300 cases this season. Boise State University has also had four active cases with over 400 students and staff exposed.
Whooping cough is caused by bacteria and requires antibiotic treatment. If you are experiencing a persistent cough or have been notified about an exposure, please come see us for a test. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 5:00.
The best way to protect yourself from whooping cough is to be vaccinated with the Tdap vaccine. This combination vaccine will also protect you from Tetanus and Diphtheria.
Free parking is available for non-BSU community members. Email us at publichealth@boisestate.edu for the parking code.
Whooping cough is also a reportable disease and requires five full days of isolation after you start antibiotics. Please call Public Health at 208-426-1523 if you have tested positive for whooping cough/pertussis.
H5N1 or Avian Influenza
Avian Influenza has been detected in the Treasure Valley, affecting thousands of birds. It’s important to avoid contact with dead or sick wild birds, such as geese, and to avoid drinking raw milk to prevent the spread of this virus. Additionally, anyone raising poultry should carefully monitor their flocks for illness and avoid having them come into contact with wild birds. Our combined COVID/Flu test will detect H5N1 as influenza A, with samples from high-risk individuals sent to the Idaho Bureau of Labs for confirmation testing. Worried you may have been exposed? Please call Public Health at (208) 426-1523.
Norovirus
Gastrointestinal illnesses caused by norovirus have been increasing lately. Although Idaho is not currently reporting more cases than expected (increases in illness due to norovirus during the winter months is a normal occurrence), general guidance and information that may be helpful to campus community members is available from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Self-Collected Testing
Do you want to get tested for COVID/Flu, Whooping Cough, or Sexually Transmitted Infections? Public Health provides self-collected tests with no appointment necessary. Visit our Testing page for more information. These tests are available to everyone at Boise State and the greater community and can be dropped off at the Campus School Building on the corner of Brady and University or the Science building outside of room 239!