UCSD is coordinating with state and local efforts to minimize the impact of a public health emergency, limit the spread of disease, and ensure resumption of normal business activity should the San Diego area be affected by a pandemic.

UCSD's Pandemic/ Epidemic Response Committee (P/ERC) is planning for the possibility of pandemic disease such as a new, severe influenza virus reaching the UCSD community. Read Avian Influenza H5N1 (Bird Flu) Information for the UCSD Community for more information about avian H5N1's pandemic potential.

Campus planning efforts include:

• Contingency plans for the welfare of residential students
• Procedures for cancellation of classes, sporting events, and other public events
• Containment measures that may include closure of campus, student housing, and public transportation
• Provisioning for students, faculty, and staff should circumstances dictate they remain on campus
• Maintenance of research projects, especially those involving animals

In the event of a public health crisis, UCSD will activate the Emergency Operations Plan and use the emergency notification systems described below to alert and advise the campus community about conditions affecting the university.

• UCSD's emergency status phone number: (888) 308-8273
  In the event of a major emergency affecting UCSD, call this number for a recorded status message advising on campus closure or interruption of classes and work schedules.



• UCSD's Emergency Status Web page
  This page will be updated with information on major emergencies affecting campus. UCSD's current campus condition is indicated with a color-coded symbol (see image below) on this and other main UCSD Web pages.
  
  

Find more information about preparedness planning for pandemic flu and avian influenza at the links below:

• Guidance for Student Dismissals During an Influenza Pandemic (PDF), California Department of Public Health
• Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response, World Health Organization (WHO)
• Flu: Pandemic/Bird (PDF), County of San Diego
• PandemicFlu.gov, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Pandemic Influenza and Other Highly Infectious Respiratory Transmitted Disease Response Plan (PDF, 223 pages), County of San Diego
• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan (PDF, 170 pages), California Department of Health Services
• University of California's Contributions to Understanding and Containing the Spread of Avian Influenza

Questions? Contact Emergency Services, (858) 534-1064 or (858) 534-3823.