The Avian Flu is a viral infection usually in birds, but can mutate to affect humans. This flu is so deadly it could start a worldwide epidemic. In 1997, the first avian flu virus hit citizens in Hong Kong hard. Chickens were tied to the outbreak and since the bird flu virus has spread across Asia.

In October 2005, the virus was also found in Turkey and Romania in poultry. Hundreds were infected since, and many people have died. A worldwide outbreak is more likely to occur when the flu virus is spread in a larger area. There has been a lot of fear and concern that the flu could spread and become a pandemic threat.

If the Avian Flu was to reach the UNCP campus, how would students, faculty, and staff be protected?

UNC-Pembroke pandemic flu planners and the Robeson County Health Department have discussed the issue of campus isolation and quarantine, but logistics of trying to isolate or quarantine an on-campus resident population living in residence halls and sharing dining facilities would be tricky. Therefore, the UNC Pembroke plan does not envision campus quarantine or isolation of large populations.

However, the UNC-Pembroke plan is to close the campus and only individuals who could not go home would need to stay. In certain cases University affiliated personnel who traveled to countries with sustained human-to-human transmission would not be allowed to go home.

Quarantine techniques or selective isolation might be utilized on campus if necessary. If a pandemic did break out, there are three University Emergency Event Levels, which correspond with the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Influenza Phases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined phases of a pandemic to assist in planning and response as indicated in the chart below.


The UNC-Pembroke Closure Planning Matrix
UNC-Pembroke infectious disease decision points are based on the definitions on the previous chart of the six pandemic phases. The most severe would be the last three phases, with travel restriction implementation at Phase 4, travel ban at Phase 5, and campus closure at Phase 6.
Decision-making is difficult when the outbreak occurs because of the lack of time available. The 1918 Pandemic would be used as a foundation for determining timing. Closing campus early, before infection enters the community, might be a better strategy for educational institutions. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Once the university is closed, discussing when to reopen would be the next step. In order to avoid the infection reoccurring, UNC-Pembroke would need to close for a minimum of 8-12 weeks. The best strategy would be to get all students who live nearby home and the number of on campus residents reduced, so the limited resources UNC-Pembroke will be available to support those who cannot go home.

If there is a large number of students on campus during this epidemic, UNC- Pembroke would be expected to provide the resources to care for those students through the pandemic. Without resources, how can UNCP take care of their students? If administration decides not make the decision to cancel classes, the perception of risk and/or the presence of disease still could result in high absenteeism from work and classes.

UNC Pembroke Planning Assumptions

• UNC Pembroke will close (see above matrix).
• 100 students (approx.) will remain in residence halls.
• Travel would cease (including but not limited to buses, shuttles, campus police escorts).
• Essential services will be provided for students remaining on campus and for essential personnel.
• Food – It is assumed that the dining hall will remain open.
• Residence halls – It is assumed consolidation of residents will occur to enable closure of as many residence halls as practicable.
• Facility services – Services will be provided on a priority basis to residence halls, dining facilities, and other facilities as resources allow
• Security – Campus Police will be responsible for securing facilities and protecting essential assets.
• Medical – Student Health will provide medical services.
• Financial Services – Payroll, Purchasing, and Accounts Payable will remain operational.

• Telephone services both landline and cell remain available.
• Internet remains available and University Web site is accessible with news updates.
• Because of limited resources, distance education will not be provided.
• Attack rate would be 25 - 50% (Based on clinical and sub clinical factors). Sickness rate would be 4 - 12%.
• Absenteeism would be 25 - 35% for 5-8 days over an approximately three-month period.