Zombies spotted on campus, students urged to stay safe

The mid-October Red Cross Blood Drive turned bloody as mutated students, faculty, staff and community members raided Velzy Commons in Ullsvik Hall, relieving the blood drive staff of some of their harvestings.

Red blood cell-rich apheresis donators were especially hit hard.

As it turned out, the Ebola virus had mutated and gone airborne, affecting only one in 1,000 people. With the city and campus populations in Platteville totaling over 11,000. The outbreak affected an estimated total of 14 individuals, according to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Center for Disease Control.

“Symptoms include bloodlust, lack of personal hygiene and mindlessness,” Paul Erickson, director of University Information and Communications said.

Students are advised to be extra cautious and aware of friends, classmates and strangers who may show symptoms. If approached by an individual who appears unable to speak, or if the individual has a noteable amount of blood, official direction is to drop all belongings and run, for fear of personal safety.

Although a few infected individuals have reportedly been spotted on the disc golf course and wooded areas behind university buildings, most of the “zombies,” their popular reference among students, most of the individuals have been quarantined and are undergoing testing, as well as experimental treatments to reverse the virus’ damage.

“Students shouldn’t travel alone on or near campus. Luckily, we’ve found that all those with known cases are on campus grounds, so the community need not worry,” Scott Marquardt, Chief of University Police said. “Officers are available to escort individuals to and from campus buildings at night, when the threat is most severe.”

No “zombie” attacks have been reported, but it is widely understood that if an infected individual attacks, the virus will spread to anyone bitten or scratched by one who is infected.