The CDC has recommended taking precautions such as avoiding nonessential travel to high risk regions, preparing health care centers to deal with infectious disease and having travelers self-monitor upon returning from abroad, said Director of IU Health Center Diana Ebling.
“They keep a very close eye on this kind of thing,” IU Spokesperson Mark Land said.
Ebling said IU Health Center has been taking all necessary precautions to educate and protect IU from any potential infections of Ebola and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome.
“Prior to the CDC’s recommendation, we started taking precautions and planning,” Ebling said.
All health care providers on campus have been made aware of the symptoms and protocol that go along with treating an Ebola patient, she said. Information about the symptoms and necessary precautions for travelers to take has been posted to the health center’s website, Ebling said.
“Ebola’s not thought to be a high risk issue at this time,” Ebling said.
Ebola can only be transmitted through an exchange of fluids.
Land said IU doesn’t have any students presently at risk, as fewer than 20 students come from areas of high risk. Those students who have been in Bloomington longer than the viruses incubating period of 21 to 28 days.
Students also have not been traveling abroad in high-risk areas.
“We’ll continue to monitor the situation,”? Ebling said.
