Amid widespread concern about the suffering caused by the Ebola virus and the potential for it to spread, UConn is monitoring risk, preparing for a response, and is committed to providing timely updates to the University community, based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the state Department of Public Health, and the Governor’s Office.
The University has had no suspected cases of Ebola and no quarantines at any of its locations, but has developed detailed contingency plans in the unlikely event of such an incident.
A document with answers to frequently asked questions is now available on the UConn alert website (alert.uconn.edu), under “Campus Information, Ebola FAQ.” The document will be updated as needed. The following are excerpts from that document:
What is Ebola and where can I find the most current and reliable information about it?
Ebola is a serious and potentially deadly illness caused by a virus that prompts symptoms including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhaging, and other signs between two and 21 days after a person has been infected.
Outbreaks have predominantly been centered in the west African countries of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
The risk of being exposed at UConn or anywhere in the U.S. is extremely low unless a person has direct contact with the blood, vomit, urine, diarrhea, or other bodily fluids of an infected person displaying Ebola symptoms. It is not spread through air, water, or food.
The Centers for Disease Control is the preeminent source of information about Ebola and preparedness planning. UConn’s Student Health Services has also compiled an easy-to-understand listing of Ebola symptoms, information about its spread, and ways in which it is diagnosed.
Where can I find the latest information about the situation at UConn?
UConn is following the CDC’s guidance to higher education institutions, and also is in constant contact with the regional health districts around our campuses along with the state Department of Public Health and the Office of the Governor.
UConn has had NO suspected cases of Ebola and NO quarantines at any of its locations, but has developed detailed contingency plans in the unlikely event of such an incident.
UConn Student Health Services, UConn Health, Public Safety, and representatives from a number of other University departments are meeting regularly to discuss preparedness and response plans, and will communicate information to the community about noteworthy developments and helpful resources.
Updates also will be posted on our news site, UConn Today, and on the University’s emergency notification Alert site. Updates from UConn Health can be found here.
Statewide updates are being posted on a new state Department of Public Health site, which includes details about the illness, quarantine procedures, and other information.
Who should be screened for Ebola?
The University has directed students to contact Student Health Services at 860-486-4700 if they have traveled to affected areas in the previous 21 days or have been in contact with an individual who is known to have Ebola.
Students who contact their private physicians for screening should notify Student Health Services as well. Do not assume that your physician or other medical professionals have contacted the University on your behalf.
Employees should contact their personal physician and local health department so they can be monitored for symptoms. They should also notify the UConn Office of Global Affairs at 860-486-3152 or global@uconn.edu, and the Office of the Provost at 860-486-4037 or provost@uconn.edu.
What’s the effect on my Study Abroad plans? Or my upcoming faculty research trip?
The University is not approving student travel to Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea. Study Abroad trips to unaffected regions have not been changed or canceled, nor have faculty trips to unaffected regions been curtailed.
All University-sponsored employee travel and all travel on state time to countries where the CDC has issued a travel warning is prohibited without the permission of the provost and the executive vice president for administration. Specifically, you may not travel on state time to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone without first obtaining permission.
Personal travel to these areas is also strongly discouraged.
Anyone who travels to these areas must quarantine themselves in their home for 21 days prior to returning to campus, in accordance with the Governor’s guidance. Thus, employees who decide to travel to these areas must first secure an approved leave to accommodate the trip and the quarantine period.
Where do I go if I’ve been ordered to be quarantined?
UConn employees and commuter students should self-quarantine in their homes and be in touch with the health departments in their towns and regions, although they should also alert the University of their status.
Do not return to campus during the quarantine period.
UConn officials will work with partner agencies to coordinate quarantine conditions for any students who live on campus.
If a student is exposed to the virus or traveled to the affected areas during his or her vacation break, the quarantine should take place off campus in their home community – although again, they should notify UConn of the circumstances.
Will I be paid for the time I’m away from my job during a mandatory quarantine? Or as a student, will my inability to go to class or take tests get counted against me?
The University recognizes that these are unusual circumstances and will work closely with employees, Human Resources, their bargaining units, and supervisors on the best way to handle logistics during a self-quarantine.
TO REITERATE: Anyone who travels to these areas on either University or personal business will be required to quarantine themselves in their home for 21 days prior to returning to campus, in accordance with the Governor’s guidance.
Thus, employees who decide to travel to these areas must first secure an approved leave to accommodate the trip and the quarantine period.
The Office of the Provost also is committed to working with students and faculty to help avoid undue interruption of the student’s education, or to consider those special circumstances in decisions about grading.
Are Ebola screenings available on campus for employees and students?
Student Health Services is glad to talk with anyone at any time to help them assess their potential risk factors. Screenings should occur if either of the risk factors are present – travel to affected areas or contact with a known Ebola patient – but are otherwise not necessary.
Is there a heightened risk of catching Ebola as a student in a dorm, an employee in a small office, or elsewhere on campus where people are in close contact?
No. Again, being in close contact with another individual would be problematic only if that person carries the virus and is displaying symptoms, and only if you then are in direct contact with his or her blood, vomit, or other fluids.
I work in a job that can require contact with sick people, their bodily fluids, etc. Can I refuse to perform that part of the job if I’m concerned about Ebola exposure?
Some positions on our campuses require employees to clean up after sick people or be in direct contact with them, such as through health care or maintenance duties.
Relevant work expectations are delineated in the descriptions of the positions. The University provides the appropriate training and protective gear to let people in these roles safely perform their jobs.
Is it safe to go to large events on campus, such as athletics events and theater performances? How about riding the buses? Or eating in a residence hall?
Yes. To reiterate, UConn has had NO suspected cases of Ebola and NO quarantines at any of its locations. The illness also does not spread through the air, water, or food.
I’m traveling during an upcoming vacation. How much do I need to tell UConn about where I go and who I encounter?
The University needs to know if you travel to a region where an Ebola outbreak has occurred, if you have been in contact with anyone who may have the illness, or if you have reason to believe that you may have been exposed in some other way.
Students, employees, student organizations and others should contact the Office of Global Affairs at 860-486-3152 and global@uconn.edu to report travel plans that may take them to affected areas.
Remember, employees seeking permission to travel to the affected areas on state time or on university-approved trips must get preapproval from the Office of the Provost and the Executive Vice President for Administration.
Employees and students do not need to report their travel if they visit areas where Ebola has not been identified as a concern, and if they no indication of being exposed to a patient with the illness.
I saw emergency workers on campus today in protective gear. Does that mean someone here has the illness?
No. There are a multitude of reasons why emergency workers wear protective clothing or use specific gear, including hazmat responses, training exercises, and other events.
It is very important to avoid becoming alarmed, or alarming others, based on speculation or misinformation. The University will communicate proactively in the case of a public health concern or other emergency as it already does as part of its regular procedures.
Also, always check the Alert site at www.alert.uconn.edu for information about ongoing events.
The full FAQ document, with additional questions and answers, is available at alert.uconn.edu.
The University will continue to update the FAQ and other existing resources and to provide new information as events warrant. Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact these offices:
- For students and families: Student Health Services at 860-486-4700 or shs@uconn.edu; and the Dean of Students at 860-486-3426 or dos@uconn.edu
- For employees: Office of Global Affairs at 860-486-3152 or global@uconn.edu; and University Communications at (860) 486-0871 or communications@uconn.edu
- For guests and the media: University Communications, (860) 486-0871 or communications@uconn.edu
