by ABC-7 Reporter/Anchor Veronique Masterson

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Flu season is just around the corner, and this year the big concern is just how bad the H1N1 virus might be.

With so many people in close proximity, college campuses are the perfect breeding ground for the virus. At New Mexico State University, health officials want to prevent that, and they say education is absolutely key.

They hope an art exhibit inside the university's student union helps get the word out.

Informational posters cover the walls, and hand sanitizer and take-home fliers are also available.

While there hasn't been an outbreak on campus, NMSU health officials say so far this year, 11 people have reported flu-like symptoms.

With more than 20,000 people, including students, faculty and staff, a plan is ready in the event there are several hundred cases of H1N1 flu.

"The reality is at any given time it could hit 40 percent of the population, which would impact us greatly, but it wouldn't shut the university down. it would just cause major disruption," said Lori McKee, director of Health and Wellness at NMSU.

To reduce the risk of getting sick, McKee suggests you cover your cough with a tissue or sleeve, wash your hands often, use hand sanitizer and get plenty of sleep.

She also recommends getting the seasonal flu vaccine.

Most students told ABC-7 they weren't too concerned about the H1N1 flu.

"I'm quite careful and cautious of hygiene and how I look after myself. I think if you're careful, then you should be fine," said Nargis Lalee, an NMSU junior.

If there are several hundred cases of H1N1 flu inside campus dorms, health officials said the plan would be to transfer the healthy students to a hotel and keep the infected ones in their rooms and help them recover.