UI Bio-Emergency

The University of Iowa activated a bio-emergency response team last week for the first time in three years after the flu hit University of Iowa students in staggering numbers.



University of Iowa has been coining the anticipated event "flu-mageddon." The influenza virus will potentially spread across the campus very quickly and in very recent numbers as students come back to campus from breaks, as the virus hit many areas over the break.

Reports have come that many schools are having the same problem as students come back from breaks. The influenza cases have been spiking greatly because of the return of students. 



This anticipation spurred the University of Iowa Student Health Department to take action. In order to brace for the flu problem, UI has been urging students to get flu shots before they come back or at the school's Student Health center. 

The bio-emergency response team was assembled to give out flu shots on the UI campus. The team includes about 20 members who are qualified to give out the vaccines and flu medication.

In addition, doctor's notes will be required so that the school can keep track of the amount of students that are visiting the hospital due to flu symptoms. This has not been a university policy, and will only be for this particular purpose.

Some students will miss class because of illnesses such as the flu upon return. Professors have been urged to take this into consideration, should the flu illness have an outbreak on the campus.

The University of Iowa bio-emergency response team has not been activated since the H1N1 virus hit the United States in 2009. 
Please login to post.