Swine flu precautions in place at AUBG

AUBG administration developed a strategy to prevent the outbreak of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. The prevention plan includes quarantining potential carriers and asking professors to report students missing lectures. The virus is a special concern for AUBG, as many students came back from the United States.

The Resident Assistants (RA) of both Skaptopara Residence Halls were given instructions to measure the body temperatures of all the students coming back on campus. AUBGers were also required to fill in a short questionnaire regarding their health status.

The outbreak of H1N1 viral strain was registered in Mexico in late March and early April, 2009. The new strain spread rapidly, and it reached the United States and Europe in the following months. Currently, countries all over the world are preparing for mass vaccinations as winter approaches.

According to the U.S. government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people."

"The swine flu symptoms include the symptoms of a regular flu combined with traveling abroad," said Dr. Ventsislav Daskalov. "The students who fell under these criteria were quarantined because the virus has an incubation period of about five to 10 days," he added.

Freshman Guglielmo Paron was quarantined together with two of his roommates. "I think it was a good thing that we were put into quarantine. Dr. Daskalov offered us either to stay in our room in Skapto, or go home with our parents. We did the latter. I did not want to take chances with swine flu and tried to stay safe," he said.

The RAs accommodated the needs of those students who could not leave the campus and go home for the quarantine period. "There were authorized people who checked on the quarantined students. The designated RAs also brought them food from the canteen three times per day. In addition, the students were excused from classes during this period," Skaptopara 2 RA Edlira Dashi said.

Some AUBG students consider the swine flu overstated. However, it is always a good thing to be cautious and aware of the current situation, "The measures taken by the administration are totally appropriate. The threat of swine flu is reported in the world news. The university has to take action to prevent the outbreak of this illness," Journalism professor Phelps Hawkins said.

To reduce the risk of infection, the CDC recommends taking these actions: "Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them."

So far, both cases of suspected H1N1 on the AUBG campus were false alarms.

"Currently, the situation in Bulgaria is under control. There are less than 70 registered cases of swine flu and the virus is contained. There is no danger of an epidemic," Daskalov said.