Ebola Update
From Dr. Jean Morrison, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer,
Willis Wang, Vice President and Associate Provost for Global Programs,
and Peter Fiedler, Vice President for Administrative Services
To the Boston University Community:
As Ebola continues to devastate communities and infrastructure in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Boston University continues to monitor news and information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other sources in order to better protect our community.
Risk to the Campus and Community
The risk to the Boston University community remains very low. There have been no cases to date in Boston or New England. Since the beginning of the outbreak in West Africa several months ago there has been very little travel by BU students, faculty or staff to the affected countries, or to BU by visitors from those countries, and no one at Boston University has been identified as being at high risk. While it is likely that isolated cases of Ebola will still be identified in the U.S., Boston University and public health authorities are confident that such cases will be contained through robust response and treatment. We want to share resources available to you and the safety measures we have put into place to ensure the risk remains low.
Travel to Affected Countries
Currently, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are considered high-risk destinations as defined by the State Department, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Boston University International Travel Risk Policy. We ask that you defer all non-essential travel to these destinations at this time.
If you are planning travel to other African countries that have reported smaller Ebola outbreaks in recent months, notably Nigeria and the Central African Republic, you are encouraged to follow the enhanced precautions recommended by the CDC.
For more information on health and safety considerations for travel abroad, please contact Joe Finkhouse, Associate Director for Health, Safety and Security, Global Programs, finkhous@bu.edu or 617-353-5401. Please also refer to Global Programs Health and Safety News.
Thanksgiving and Intersession
If you are planning personal travel to countries affected by Ebola over Thanksgiving break or Intersession, please contact Joe Finkhouse (see above for contact information).
Travelers Returning to Campus
If you recently visited any of the affected countries, you should be aware that the incubation period for Ebola virus disease is 2 – 21 days. If you have been in Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone in the last three weeks, you must contact one of the following offices for a telephone assessment before returning to campus. If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to the Ebola virus and are experiencing symptoms, you must call one of the following numbers, a doctor, or the nearest emergency room immediately:
- Students: Student Health Services, 617-353-3575 (open 24 hours)
- Faculty and staff (CRC and MED): Occupational Health Center, 617-353-6630 (Weekdays 9AM – 5PM)
- Research faculty and staff: Research Occupational Health Program, 617-414-7647 (Weekdays 9AM – 5PM)
- Boston University Police Department 617-353-2121 (24 hours)
Please be aware that you should always call before arriving at a medical facility to let them know the nature of your possible exposure.
Study Abroad Programs
Boston University closely monitors news and alerts concerning countries where Study Abroad programs operate. Global Programs and Student Health Services have implemented an Ebola Monitoring and Response Protocol for each of Boston University’s Study Abroad sites. No changes to the operation or schedule of Spring 2015 Study Abroad programs are anticipated; any changes will be communicated to students and parents.
University Preparations
Boston University Student Health Services, Occupational Health and Research Occupational Health are working closely with the Boston Medical Center and the Boston Public Health Commission to prepare and implement best practices to protect the BU community. Many lessons have been learned from the first U.S. cases and, following well-established practice, BU health professionals, first responders and administrators are following these lessons closely in order to refine BU’s own response preparations.
Resources
Boston Public Health Commission
Centers for Disease Control Ebola Updates
World Health Organization
Please be assured that Boston University regularly trains and prepares for a variety of emergencies, including Ebola. We take the safety of our entire community very seriously.