BELTON (April 30, 2009)—As the end of the spring semester and finals approach, administrators at Central Texas colleges and universities are keeping a close eye on the outbreak of a new strain of swine flu that has sickened more than two-dozen in Texas and more than 100 nationwide.

No confirmed cases have been reported in Central Texas.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton formed a pandemic study group in 2007 that developed a plan to guide the school in the event of such an outbreak, said Gary Sargent, the chief of the UMHB Department of Public Safety.

“We updated our familiarity with the plan two weeks ago when the university participated in a regional pandemic drill, which afforded us the opportunity to test different components of the plan,” Sargent said.

“As a result, we feel confident today in our abilities to respond effectively to this outbreak, should it reach our campus," he said.

"We are in daily communications with state and local health officials, gaining the latest information pertaining to this outbreak.

"Our goal at this point is to maintain a high level of situational awareness. We also want to provide our students, faculty, and staff with accurate information on the extent of the outbreak and how to protect their health. We want to avoid panic and make sure that all actions we take are based on credible information,” he said.

UMHB President Jerry G. Bawcom sent a letter to students, faculty and staff this week encouraging anyone who develops flu-like symptoms to seek medical attention.

"We always want our students and employees to stay home and get well when illness strikes, both for their sakes and for the sake of others who would interact with them in offices or classrooms," Bawcom said.

"In this case, because the early symptoms of swine flu are practically indistinguishable from the symptoms of other strains of influenza, it is doubly important that we seek medical attention and avoid exposing others, if we become ill."

UMHB officials say they don’t expect the outbreak will interrupt normal end-of-semester activities.

"Regular classes have now come to an end, and we expect final exams and graduation exercises on May 9 to proceed as planned,” Bawcom said.