UI memo regarding Ebola response

MEMORANDUM

The University of Idaho is monitoring the threat of the Ebola virus relative to the UI Community. This memo outlines the university’s response, which is consistent with recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to minimize the spread of the virus.

While the general consensus is that the risk to the public remains quite low, members of our university community across the state should be aware of public health information about Ebola. Up-to-date information about Ebola can be found on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/. The CDC has also provided specific guidance for universities, colleges, and students regarding Ebola at:http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/advice-for-colleges-universities-and-students-about-ebola-in-west-africa

Consistent with CDC guidelines, the university has implemented the following:

1. Consistent with the most recent travel information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) with respect to the Ebola outbreaks, the President instructs that all university related travel to the countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone must be authorized in advance by the Provost and Executive Vice President. Unapproved travel by faculty or staff will be considered outside the course and scope of employment. The International Programs Office (IPO), in conjunction with the Student Health Services group addressing infectious diseases at the university, will continue to monitor the evolving situation, re-evaluate this restriction, and make recommendations to the President accordingly. Any additional travel restrictions will be based upon CDC Level 2 and Level 3 Travel Alerts.
2. Any students who have traveled from the affected countries within the past 21 days are asked to contact Student Health Services at [email protected]. Any faculty or staff members traveling from the affected countries are asked to contact their health care providers or their local county health department. Travelers from affected countries are also asked to monitor themselves for possible symptoms of Ebola (fever, headache, weakness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, or bleeding). If travelers have symptoms, they should call their health care providers or their local county health department immediately to report symptoms and recent travel history. It is important to call before seeking help in person so that precautions to contain possible spread of the virus can be enacted in a timely manner.
3. The university strongly encourages faculty and staff who are traveling abroad to register with the IPO at: http://www.uidaho.edu/international/ui-faculty-staff-opportunities/international-travel/international-travel-registration.
4. The university requires all students traveling abroad to register their international travel at:http://www.uidaho.edu/international/study-abroad/steps-to-studying-abroad/step-2-apply
5. The IPO has contacted several students who recently arrived from Nigeria and has verified that none has developed symptoms of Ebola. As of October 21, 2014, the CDC warning regarding non-essential travel to Nigeria has been removed. To our knowledge, there has been no further recent travel from affected areas to our university.

The CDC continues to state that despite the recent cases in the U.S., Ebola poses little risk to the general population. The threat of Ebola spreading to our university community remains low at this time. Spread of Ebola from affected areas requires travel by a person who has been in recent contact with bodily fluids from an afflicted individual. Timely identification of persons traveling from affected areas coupled with close monitoring and reporting of symptoms is a cautious and prudent approach to containing this risk. Students with questions may contact Student Health Services at [email protected]. Faculty and staff with questions should contact their health care providers or their local county public health department.