In conjunction with Public Health England, in October 2014 the University published an Infectious Diseases Protocol. It replaced the Meningitis Protocol which had been in place for many years. Based on the same principles but now applicable to any infectious disease, the Infectious Diseases Protocol is designed to enable a flexible, effective, and rapid approach to the occurrence of any infectious disease among the University community. Alongside changes made to the management of occurrences of infectious disease, the University also modified the manner in which it governs infectious disease risk-management.
It is understood that students remain at increased risk of contracting infections such as measles and mumps and the Protocol can accommodate such events. It has also been written to enable the University to respond effectively should students contract rare or unexpected diseases, or in the event that pandemics occur such as the 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu) pandemic.
Whilst we have amended our plans to enable them to be more flexible in the event of the occurrence of any infectious disease among our students, meningitis remains our primary concern. We continue to work with external partners to ensure that we do all that we can to protect our students by promoting vaccination and awareness of symptoms and signs, and respond effectively in the event that a case of meningitis occurs.
Our procedures for managing infectious diseases are based on the principles and knowledge attained over recent years in relation to the management of cases of Meningitis and infectious diseases. The protocol includes details of appropriate arrangements for communication between staff within the University, the rapid tracing of close contacts of any students affected, and the administration of antibiotics to those at risk, on a large scale if necessary.
Please address any enquiries about the protocol to the Student Services Divisional Office.
