An awareness campaign is ongoing at IT Sligo to encourage staff and students to be vigilant about preventing the spread of the flu virus on campus.
Additional hand sanitizer dispensers are being provided and posters are being put up around the campus with advice on how to avoid spreading infection.
A comprehensive system for treating students who present with flu-like symptoms has also been in operation at the Student Health Centre since the campus re-opened after the Christmas break.
IT Sligo Student Nurse Eilish Corley is encouraging students to look after their health during this national outbreak of the flu virus; “January is a particularly stressful time for students who are sitting exams and their immune systems can be lower than usual, so we are encouraging everyone to do what they can to protect themselves from catching the flu virus and to stay healthy.”
“We have opened a separate waiting room in the Student Health Centre for students who have flu-like symptoms and those who are diagnosed as having the flu virus are being asked to remain off the campus until they are feeling better to avoid spreading it amongst the rest of the student population,” she said.
Health and Safety Officer at IT Sligo Yvonne Roche said that a proactive approach is being taken across the Institute to prevent an outbreak of the virus on campus; “The winter flu numbers are on the rise daily nationwide and, with the return of students and staff to the campus, we have been proactive in taking all reasonable steps to prevent an outbreak of the Flu among our campus population.”
Full details on how to prevent catching the flu virus and how to recognise the symptoms are available on the IT Sligo website at https://www.itsligo.ie/staff-hub/health-and-safety/influenza-flu/.
Student Services Administrator Fidelma McCann makes use of the hand sanitizers in the Student Health Centre. Additional hand sanitizers are being provided around the campus to prevent the spread of the flu virus.