In 1918 the Spanish flu tore through the United States, leaving hundreds of thousands dead and countless more weakened or ill. We have had similar experiences in 1957 and 1968 due to the Asian and Hong Kong, flus. Those pandemics killed a combined 104,000 Americans.

Now, America faces another flu. This time it is the Avian flu that has people all over the globe whispering the word "pandemic" again. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on Oct. 18 that several schools are implementing worst case scenario plans in the event a pandemic does break out. Marquette is not.

We call for Marquette to establish a worst case scenario plan to ensure the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff and administrators.

Craig Roberts, an epidemiologist at University of Wisconsin-Madison, told the Journal Sentinel that at Madison, "there is a potential to introduce influenza very easily." This is certainly true for Marquette's campus.

Some at Marquette are not taking the situation as seriously, however. Keli Wollmer, clinical coordinator and physician assistant at Student Health Service, said she believes the media is blowing the Avian flu scare out of proportion.

"We are not anticipating an outbreak at Marquette. The Avian flu is not anything different from what we have seen in the past," Wollmer said. Wollmer added Marquette does not have a plan for a pandemic outbreak, but if one were to occur, Student Helath Service would depend on the Center for Disease Control or the Milwaukee County Health Department.

Others at Marquette are taking the Avian flu a bit more seriously. Robert Paxton, a clinical assistant professor for physical assistant studiesbelieves the Avian flu could turn into another case of SARS. Paxton noted the flu kills 60 percent of those who get it and said he worries that it is only a matter of time before it develops into a virus that can spread easily from human to human. He noted because of frequent worldwide travel, the disease could spread very quickly.

Paxton said if a pandemic were to break out, it would likely not be isolated to Marquette and would require aid from the CDC and from Milwaukee County. But, given the circumstances, he said "it would not be a bad idea for Marquette to talk about the issue now."

While it is clear a flu pandemic would lead to sweeping federal policies that would apply to Marquette, it is disturbing some in the Student Health Service facility are so ready to brush off the Avian flu. Perhaps Wollmer is right and the Avian flu won't be anything more than we've seen in the past. But looking back to 1918, 1957 and 1968, it is best to err on the side of caution. We hope Marquette realizes this, and moves forward with creating a "worst case scenario" plan, just in case the unlikely becomes reality.

This editorial was published in The Marquette Tribune on October 25, 2005.