Colleges and departments across the University are preparing for a second wave of the H1N1 virus predicted to hit the country in the autumn.
Estimates suggest that during the peak period of infection anywhere between 15-35% of university staff could be away from work as a result of having contracted the virus, or in order to care for sick family members.
The University is currently in ‘red 3 pandemic’, the highest alert stage possible. The move into phase 3 was made over the summer after the first cases of swine flu in the Oxfordshire area were confirmed. The first case of swine flu in the University itself happened in early June, when a postgraduate student contracted the H1N1 virus while on a visit to Arizona. Since then several other cases have been reported.
The University is unwilling to give out exact figures for the number of Oxford students and staff that have been diagnosed with the illness. They commented, “We do not think it would be helpful to provide a running commentary on a situation which is constantly changing.”
Colleges are also keen to avoid putting a number on how many of their students have or are predicted to catch swine flu. According to a statement from Balliol college “because there will be no way of telling whether any flu outbreak is swine flu, ‘freshers’ flu or a seasonal strain, it will be impossible to report back with any accuracy.”
As part of its preparations for a second wave of infection, the University has released a Pandemic Planning Framework (PPF) document, outlining the establishment of a Pandemic Planning Team, headed by prominent members of the University.
Many colleges have followed suit, setting up their own Flu Pandemic Committees. According to a representative at St. Peters College, “The college has a pandemic flu contingency planning committee – the committee has already met to ensure we are prepared for Michaelmas Term.” Other colleges have also confirmed that they are stocking up on face masks and gloves in preparation for the new term.
Some colleges have also been working with the JCR and MCR student bodies to try to contain infection rates, with networks of student ‘flu buddies’ being set up in order to maintain communications with other students should they fall ill.
“We have a ‘flu buddy’ system in place should anyone become sick with swine flu and need to be in isolation for a few days,” explained James Nation, JCR President for Merton College, who is confident in his college’s response to the flu pandemic.
“Merton College has been in contact with its students regarding the swine flu virus….We have been given assurances that College are suitably prepared should any staff member become ill.”
“Teaching might be disrupted if swine flu were to affect a significant proportion of students and staff this term,” said the representative from St. Peters, “In such an extreme case it may be necessary to vary term times and examination dates.”
Balliol has already set up ‘business continuity plans’ to make sure “essential functions and communications within college” are maintained in the face of a significant number of staff shortages. The college said it would be looking to the University “to advise if and when teaching should be suspended.”
According to its website, the University expects there to be a three to four month period during which it will need to continuously review the threat to its activities, and to adapt its operations and its plans accordingly.
“In a worst case scenario, when closure of certain operations of the University is under consideration, decisions may need wider publicity,” read a statement in the University’s PPF. In such situations the University would consider using local media, such as BBC Oxford and Fox FM, to communicate information about the status of the University to the wider community.
Many students are already voicing concern over the possible disruptions to their education that a second wave of swine flu might bring.
“Would we all just be sent home?”, asked a student from Hertford College, “That would be the sensible thing, college wouldn’t be where you would want to be.”
She added, “After all, they shut Oxbridge during the black death.”
A representative from Balliol college said, “The one thing we will be stressing to all freshers next week is, should they feel ill they should not go to inductions, and to reassure them that they will not miss anything.”
For now it’s business as usual for Oxford, “The University is continuing to operate as normal while, at the same time, remaining alert to any students or staff exhibiting flu-like symptoms.”
