University News
Pandemic Response Plan Available Online
April 29, 2009
MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University's Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan is available online at http://www.wiu.edu/rmep/plans.php.
According to WIU President Al Goldfarb, in response to questions University officials are receiving due to the recent swine flu outbreak, the University's plan has been posted to provide information to the campus community.
"Western is currently following its pandemic emergency plan, which was developed approximately three years ago. While the University's plan is always active, our response changes with the situation and follows the World Health Organization's pandemic levels. The plan is in place as a proactive measure so we are prepared in the event of an emergency," Beu Health Center Director Mary Margaret Harris noted.
Western recently halted all nonessential travel to Mexico based on an updated travel health warning issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding Swine Flu (http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx). In addition to ceasing travel to Mexico, University-sponsored travel groups to other destinations are being briefed on the current situation, as outlined by the University's pandemic plan, Harris added.
Beu Health Center staff will continue to perform influenza surveillance. If an individual comes to the health center with flu-like symptoms, Beu's healthcare providers will ask a series of questions as a precautionary measure to determine if the illness is perhaps related to Swine Flu, Harris added
For more information on Western's pandemic response, contact Beu Health Center at (309) 298-1888.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: