SIAST Palliser Campus Director Peter Lapointe says that at present he intends to keep the school open during the upcoming flu season.

He says preparations have been made to help prevent the spread of the flu at the campus, but he says faculty and staff are being encouraged to stay home if they get sick.

He says students can rest assured that their education will not be endangered because of health concerns, "Our number one priority is the safety of our staff and students and we are taking every precaution we can, in terms of working with our staff and students, to make sure we continue on with their education and they will be able to get the information and exams and the content in order to finish their programs."

Lapointe adds, "We've done a few things around the campus in terms of signs and posters to educate our staff to wash their hands, as well as for the students when they came on campus.  We have gel at all the entrances for staff and students to wash their hands and we are looking at ways to record and look after our students and staff if an influenza pandemic occurs."

Five Hills Health Region officials are estimating as many as 18,000 people in our region could sick during the flu season.