Universities across Northeast China's Liaoning province have barred everyone from leaving campus grounds due to the spread of the A/H1N1 flu. Many colleges enacted such harsh measures during the outbreak of the SARS virus.

The preventative measures in the province began when Northeastern University in Shenyang, reported eight A/H1N1 cases on Sept 8. All were freshmen. Another two cases were discovered at the Yingkou College of Vocational Technology.

Cases of A/H1N1 at the province grew to 37 by Sept 11, according to the provincial department of health. The number of cases at Northeastern University has reportedly climbed to 25 as of late last week. All of the victims are currently in stable condition; none of them exhibit severe symptoms of A/H1N1. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

According to data from the Liaoning Provincial Department of Health on Sept 18, there have been 177 new H1N1 flu cases since Sept 8; 74 sufferers have been cured. All of the victims are in stable condition except one, who suffers from a severe case of the flu.

The province's major universities, such as Northeastern University, Liaoning University, Shenyang Normal University and Shenyang University, have been on the alert for sufferers of the flu.

The closed campuses also mean many functions, including military training for freshmen, have been canceled.

Classes, however, in most universities are going on as scheduled, excluding Shenyang Normal University.

(China Daily September 21, 2009)