Everyone entering the Ateneo de Zamboanga Univesity will be subjected to a thermal scan at the gates starting August 3, 2009. This is a counter-measure against Influenza A(H1N1) or swine flu virus, the cause of the ongoing flu pandemic.
Thermal scanning was first initiated by the Grade School Department after one elementary level student was found positive for the virus, the first case in the city. Since then, two other members of the Ateneo community were confirmed positive, and at least 26 for the whole city.
The thermal scan will be implemented at all entry points to the school from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm Mondays to Fridays provisionally until August 16. In a memorandum posted in the ADZU website, Fr. Tony said this was one of the measures suggested and adopted by the university’s AHINI task force.
Those found with flu-like symptoms will be asked to see doctors immediately and when applicable, excuse slips will be issued.
The memo further called for self-quarantine. Should students, faculty, and staff find themselves with flu-like symptoms, they should stay home and consult a doctor.
Comfort rooms in the campus were also equipped with sanitizing dispensers for use to help protect everyone in the school from infection.
Fr. Moreno asked the Ateneo community to bear with the inconvenience in the interest of protecting public health.
