Health Director’s Update on Concerns About Ebola

Dr. Jeffrey Goldstein, director of health services, sent this message by email to the campus community Oct. 21.

As we head into the second half of the fall semester, I would like to update the College on the international concern about the outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola HF) and share with you, some of the specific plans for our campus that pertain to you. Many students and employees have expressed a high level of anxiety about Ebola HF. I want to reassure our community that the potential risk of exposure to Ebola at Lafayette is very small and the probability that we will be impacted by this disease is remote. Although the probability of an outbreak in the United States is small, the College has responded proactively and taken measures to be fully prepared. Prior to the start of the semester, the Bailey Health Center reached out to members of the community that were returning to Lafayette from affected regions in Western Africa; we stressed the importance of monitoring for symptoms. The College recommended that all students, staff, and faculty adhere to the CDC warning to avoid all nonessential travel to this region.

At Lafayette, an Emergency Response Team has met to discuss and implement policies and procedures to help ensure the safety of our students, faculty, and staff if we are faced with the challenge of responding to a suspected case on campus. Your safety is our highest priority. Members of the team include representation from Health Services, Communications, Environmental Health and Safety, Public Safety, Campus Life, Residence Life, Plant Operations, and Human Resources. Each department plays an important role in ensuring the health and safety of our community. Our planning and preparedness will mitigate the impact of a serious infection like Ebola. The most important aspect of prevention and safety however, is in your hands-every member of the Lafayette community represents an important link in diminishing the risk of this infectious disease on our campus. I would like to share with you some of the important aspects of preparedness that pertain to you:

1. The College reinforces the strong warning by the Center for Disease Control to avoid all nonessential travel to the regions in Western Africa affected by the outbreak. The CDC advises that education-related activities be postponed until further notice. For this reason, the College will not sponsor student, faculty, or staff activities in Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone.
2. The College will soon establish an on line travel registry for all members of the campus community. With an increased emphasis on global education, many colleges and universities have used this tool prior to the Ebola crisis to monitor travel activities for students, faculty, and staff. Given the changing nature of regions impacted by the outbreak, we strongly encourage all members of the community traveling abroad to register for travel outside the United States when the registry is established. As you know, travel to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone presents substantial risks. If you choose to travel to this region independently, the College requires that you register. If you are planning to travel to this region before the registry is established, notify the Director of Health Services at goldstej@lafayette.edu.
3. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors returning from regions impacted by the outbreak should call the Health Center when they return and self-monitor for 21 days. Report any fever or concerning symptoms by calling the Bailey Health Center at 610-330-5001 or Public Safety at 610-330-4444 after Bailey is closed.
4. If you believe, at any time that you have been exposed to a person diagnosed or suspected of having the Ebola infection, contact the Health Center immediately. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors who have fever or consistent symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, abdominal pain AND exposure in the past 21 days to a person who has been diagnosed with Ebola should immediately self- isolate and call the Health Center or Public Safety after hours. Transportation via ambulance to a receiving hospital will be arranged for further evaluation and treatment.
5. Stay informed. The Bailey Health Center will stay closely connected to leading public health resources to provide the most up to date information. Campus Communications will share vital health information with the campus and provide clear instructions on our policies and procedures in the event of a suspected or confirmed case.

The Ebola outbreak is very dynamic and we will remain closely coordinated with local, state, and federal public health agencies. In the coming weeks and months we are likely to see additional cases in the United States, but I am confident that we will not experience the serious outbreaks that are occurring in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The Emergency Response Team will continue to meet throughout the year to discuss and implement polices as new information becomes available and guidance from the CDC is amended.

For more information on Ebola and Frequently Asked Questions, www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola is the most up to date and comprehensive resource. Be well and stay positive.