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Ebola Information and Pre-departure Orientations for Students Studying Abroad in Spring 2015

by Betsy Chapman

The Center for Global Programs and Studies is currently hosting Pre-departure Orientations (PDOs) for students studying abroad in Spring 2015.

At the PDOs, students are given a copy of the World Health Organization FAQ document about Ebola.  This document was sent out to Fall 2014 study abroad students as well.  The WHO FAQ has good detail about Ebola and what to do when traveling.  

Students studying abroad in Spring 2015 have also received the letter below from the Center for Global Programs and Studies.

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Message for Wake Forest students studying abroad in Spring 2015

At a time when Ebola is a subject of considerable international concern, Wake Forest officials have learned that the risk of the disease’s transmission to the campus community is low. Still, the University is taking all appropriate actions to support the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and faculty.

University officials monitor the Ebola situation regularly and with great care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a statement titled, “Advice for College, Universities and Students about Ebola in West Africa,” and updates it as needed. The university is following all recommendations issued by the CDC and will continue to do so. The University issued a letter to all students, faculty and staff on October 27, 2014, as well as a list of Frequently Asked Questions, which are available online.

In accordance with CDC guidelines, there will be no Wake Forest funded or sponsored travel to regions with an Ebola travel advisory in place. The CDC has issued a Level 3 travel warning recommending against non-essential travel to Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Any individual associated with Wake Forest who is planning travel to an affected country should contact the Student Health Service to discuss the potential risks of travel.

For Wake Forest students studying abroad during Spring Semester 2015, university officials believe the chance of transmission among study abroad students is extremely low. The university recommends that study abroad students:

  • Continue to take basic precautions to protect their health, including washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or hand sanitizer
  • Avoid close contact with sick individuals. Ebola virus is only transmitted through blood and bodily fluids.
  • Do not handle items that may have come in contact with an infected person’s blood or body fluids.
  • Remember that it impossible to get infected if you have not had direct contact with the body fluids of an Ebola infected person

 

For more information on Ebola virus disease, please visit the CDC website:

www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/advice-for-colleges-universities-and-students-about-ebola-in-west-africa

 

WHO information about Ebola and response can be found here:

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/faq-ebola/en/

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

 

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control can be found here:

http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/press/news/_layouts/forms/News_DispForm.aspx?List=8db7286c-fe2d-476c-9133-18ff4cb1b568&ID=1030

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support. You can also visit we.wfu.edu for resources.