Fears surrounding a resurgence of the highly contagious strain have emerged following a break in diagnostics since the peak of the pandemic in Autumn 2009.

Speaking with The University Observer, UCD’s Student Health Service is warning students to remain vigilant, particularly those students that may fall within certain high risk categories.  Students are advised to carry tissues at all times and not to attend university should they display flu symptoms. Additionally, students in UCD Residences who suspect they may have swine flu are asked to make contact with Residential authorities straight away.

The H1NI virus affects mainly young people and, in the vast majority of cases, is easily treated with paracetamol and by drinking plenty of fluids. However certain high risk groups’ contraction of the virus will necessitate further treatment by a GP.

Symptoms of the H1N1 virus are similar to that of the common cold, including dry cough, sore throat, headache, running nose, severe weakness/fatigue aching muscles/joints, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Students’ Union Welfare Vice-President Scott Ahearn spoke to The University Observer about his experience of contracting the virus and offered his advice to students who expect they may have it: “I would encourage students to stay at home and seek medical attention. For students living on campus, obviously their doctor is in the Student Health Centre, obviously I wouldn’t advise they attend.”

Ahearn added: “If are you concerned about it you can get the swine flu jab in the Student Health Centre.”

Those people identified as being particularly susceptible to the virus include those with chronic heart, lung or liver diseases, those with immune system deficiencies, as well as those suffering from conditions such as asthma or diabetes. Pregnant women are also advised to seek the advice of a GP if they display flu symptoms, as the required treatment has to be assessed with regard to the trimester of the pregnancy as well as the severity of symptoms.

The Student Health Service has advised students to adhere to the University Flu Response Committee Guidelines, will continue to monitor the situation and issue updates to the student body if required.

For those who want further information can visit the UCD Student Health Service website (www.ucd.ie/stuhealth/).

Two buses had been organised by the Students’ Union and the office of the Agriculture Programme Director to allow students to travel to the student’s funeral in Dromore, Co Cork.

Students abroad the bus reported that the accident occurred when the bus failed to slow down for an approaching tractor. Upon realising the road was too narrow, the driver skidded to the side and the bus left the road, falling into a ditch.

SU President Gary Redmond confirmed that an investigation into the incident is being carried out by both the university and the bus company involved. Redmond would not speculate on the cause of the crash, but did suggest adverse weather conditions may have played a role in the incident, calling the conditions “absolutely horrendous.” Redmond stated that the bus company in question has been the SU’s regular bus provider for a number of years, and also has a longstanding record of working with the university.

A passenger on the bus in question told The University Observer that students had expressed concern on the return journey about what they felt was the excessive speed at which the coach was being driven. The passenger also described how the bus driver had left the motorway and appeared to be lost. He also appeared to be “twiddling with the GPS” but was continued driving at high speed on a rural road.

After the crash, students and staff members on the bus were taken in by a local woman who provided the passengers some refreshments. Gardaí were then alerted to the incident.

No students were injured in the accident, and Redmond has stated that the matter is now in the hands of the UCD transport safety officer and the Gardaí. The driver of the bus was subsequently interviewed by Gardaí at the scene. After a delay of several hours, another bus arrived to bring the students back to Dublin.

An altercation between two students that began in an apartment on Finlay Square in the Merville complex at about 10pm Monday 18th January led to a large-scale drunken brawl breaking out on the pavement outside.

One student involved in the altercation described the RAs as being “completely unable to control the crowds”, commenting that the riot was only brought under control after members of An Garda Síochána were called in to disperse the crowds.

Several other students approached The University Observer to express their anger at the late arrival emergency services and the delay in dispersing the crowd.

Another nearby resident questioned the slow response of the campus security services, noting that it was only “after the Gardaí arrived that that the security vans showed up.” A unit of Dublin Fire Brigade and an ambulance were also present at the scene.

One man was injured and required treatment by the ambulance team for a head injury, and witnesses confess they were surprised more people weren’t injured.

Gardaí at the scene took the names of some of the students involved in the brawl, but it is unclear whether the students in question will face legal proceedings, or any disciplinary action by residential management or by the university itself.

The argument reportedly started with the refusal of one occupant of the apartment to allow entry to another group of students who wished to joing the party ongoing inside. The group then set off the fire alarm, which attracted the attention of the on-duty Residential Assisant (RA), who arrived on the scene as the altercation was breaking out. As the residents evacuated the building, the altercation between the two men that had begun upstairs, escalated to involve thirty to fifty people.

The University Observer could not contact the management of the campus residences for comment at the time of going to press.