NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

6/15/2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES -Northwestern State University has begun planning how the institution would react in case of an influenza pandemic.Northwestern has formed a response team with representatives from areas including student affairs, academics, housing, Health Services, University Police and Information Systems to discuss what the university would do in case of an Avian Flu pandemic.

"Colleges and universities will play an important role in protecting the health and safety of students, employees and their families," said NSU Director of Health Services Stephanie Campbell. "We are following the recommendations of the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and the University of Louisiana System and setting up a plan in case of an Avian Flu pandemic."

A pandemic is a global outbreak of flu that causes serious illness in people and spreads quickly throughout populations.

Campbell said NSU would work closely with local, state and federal authorities to protect the health of students, employees and their families.

"We want to have an effective team in place in case Avian Flu comes to this region and eventually to our campuses," said Campbell. "Northwestern has students from around the world and our students, faculty and staff travel throughout the United States regularly. Should we be affected by a pandemic, the university will work to clearly communicate information to all those impacted."

Campbell said two Web sites, www.AvianFlu.gov and PandemicFlu.gov, provide the latest information and statistics on the disease. NSU's response team will meet regularly to further develop plans and react to situations that may arise.

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