The State University of New York released an official plan Wednesday highlighting its latest efforts in combating the spread of swine flu on college campuses.

According to the press release, the number of “influenza-like illness” cases reported daily at SUNY’s 64 schools amount to less than 0.02 percent of the student population of 440,000.

“SUNY’s response to all forms of the flu has been focused on three critical themes: prepare, educate and respond,” said Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher in the release. “Our first priority is to help keep students, faculty and staff healthy and safe.”

In the preparation phase, SUNY schools are monitoring campus health trends and reporting illnesses to the New York State Department of Health.

A Web site, suny.edu/h1n1, was also created to inform students and faculty on how to avoid swine flu and keep them updated with the latest information on the subject.

“It is critically important for students and staff to cover their cough, wash their hands and to stay home if they are ill with flu until 24 hours after their fever has resolved without the use of fever-lowering medicines like Tylenol,” said Beth Goldberg, public affairs program manager for the New York State Department of Health.

For educational efforts, the chancellor has formed an H1N1 medical advisory group, which consists of international health experts that provide instructional assistance to the SUNY system.

The plan also urges schools to explore alternative housing for sick students and increase supplies of face masks and hand sanitizers, among other things.

In the response phase, students can receive H1N1 vaccinations, which could arrive at SUNY schools beginning in late October in two forms: a nasal spray and an injection.

“We are working with SUNY health care providers to arrange for access to H1N1 vaccine for students in student health clinics,” Goldberg said. “We are urging everyone to get a seasonal flu vaccination and to get an H1N1 flu vaccination if they are in a target group.”

Information about target groups can be found at nyhealth.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/h1n1/frequently_asked_questions.

The State Department of Health is collaborating with the SUNY system to survey the situation on campuses, according to Goldberg.

“We have distributed guidance about what actions institutions of higher education might be asked to consider if activity increases,” she said.

To date, there have been no reported deaths of students on SUNY campuses from swine flu or influenza-like illnesses.

“When there is illness, SUNY’s advanced planning and preparation aims to minimize it,” Zimpher said.