Swine flu response teams prepare for college outbreak
A swine flu notice for parents is displayed at Colaiste Bhride, Ranafast, Co Donegal, as the school closes.
Thursday August 13 2009
SPECIAL flu pandemic response teams are in place across the third-level sector to deal with swine flu as up to 200,000 students and staff prepare to return to college.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA), which earlier this year issued guidelines on dealing with the virus to the 40 HEA institutions across the country, said colleges had contingency plans in place to deal with an outbreak.
"Hopefully we won't experience any significant problems but if we do, the institutions will be in a position to address it," a spokesman said. Up to 140,000 full-time students, 35,000 part-timers and 25,000 staff will be returning to third-level colleges for the start of the academic year in a few weeks' time.
Contingency plans have been been drawn up across the sector to deal with a possible swine flu outbreak and what to do if facilities are forced to temporarily close.
The preparations come as a second language college in the Donegal gaeltacht was forced to close yesterday following an outbreak of swine flu.
Colaiste Bhride in Ranafast is to close today and its remaining 275 students are being sent home.
Tests from two Irish language students at the college have proven positive for swine flu and tests on a further three students are outstanding.
Yesterday the number of students presenting with flu-like symptoms increased substantially and authorities took the decision to close the college today.
Unwell
So far over 50 students, aged between 13 and 18, have gone home from the summer course that was due to end this Sunday.
Course principal Frank O Maolain said that the situation had deteriorated over a 24-hour period with further students feeling unwell. He said that all parents were notified and that they met with the students and informed them of the decision to end the course early.
At nearby Magheraroarty, 10 students have now been sent home with swine flu symptoms, following a positive swine flu test from one student. Authorities there plan to continue with the course and said that the numbers presenting with flu symptoms has actually dropped.
On Saturday last, Colaiste Mhuire at Loch an Iuir was closed down following an outbreak and all 300 students sent home. This college hopes to re-open on Saturday to complete the three-week course.
All of the third-level colleges have pandemic response teams in place after health guidelines were issued through the Higher Education Authority.
- Fergus Black
