The cancellation occurred as the fear of the H1N1 Influenza rose and a student from POSTECH was confirmed positive in the first selection sample tests for the flu. The student was sent home until the final test for a definite diagnosis and eight students who were with him the day before were taken to a nearby hospital and tested negative. Fortunately, he was confirmed negative in the final test. Any student who contacted him in class within three days was mandatorily examined for signs of fever.
The 2009 Science War was expected to draw about 1500 students from the two universities and the school announced that it unavoidably had to call off the crowded event to prevent an outbreak. The procedure for cancelling the event in the chance of an assumed patient was prearranged by both universities and the final decision was made under the agreement of the presidents of POSTECH and KAIST.
The announcement a day before the actual competition left all in bafflement. It was particularly a blow for the participants and the 2009 Science War Planning Committee, who put all their effort into this two-day event beginning before the summer holiday.
POSTECH is planning to prepare for a quarantine program for students who have difficulty in going home, such as international students, after testing positive in the first flu examination or given a definite diagnosis for H1N1 Influenza. In addition to an emergency center for checking temperatures at Student Union Building, a thermal imaging infrared camera has been installed at the Jigok Community Center to prevent the spread of the flu virus.
