Avian Flu

Social distancing message from Chancellor Drake and Vice Chancellor Brase

Aug. 8, 2006

Although the avian flu has not spread to the U.S., it is vital that UC Irvine be prepared if it does. Campus leaders are currently formulating a response plan to limit the spread of avian flu should it reach a pandemic state.

"Social distancing" is one of the key concepts in our plan. Social distancing involves suspending classes and other public gatherings to help break the cycle of avian flu transmission person-to-person.

We are asking campus departments to brainstorm in order to create innovative ways to continue teaching, research and other essential activities while minimizing time on campus and interpersonal contact, should this become necessary. We recommend you use the Academic and Business Continuity Template at www.ehs.uci.edu/programs/occhlth/pandemic/ UCIAcademic&BusinessContinuityPlan.doc to help you think through these issues. This exercise in emergency planning will benefit our campus and facilitate an agile response to avian flu as well as other emergency situations such as earthquakes.

For more information on our planning effort, the template and the avian flu, please see "Focus On" at www.ehs.uci.edu.

Michael Drake, M.D.
Chancellor

Wendell C. Brase
Vice Chancellor, Administrative & Business Services