Oct. 20, 2014
The University of Texas at Dallas sets the highest priority on the health and safety of students, staff and faculty. The University is carefully monitoring any updates regarding the Ebola virus in Dallas through daily contact with the City of Richardson Office of Emergency Management, Dallas County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Dallas County Health and Human Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Emergency Management Office provides regular updates, and continues to review our action plans and procedures for handling extreme medical situations, in conjunction with the latest information from these agencies. The office also communicates daily with Student Affairs, Student Housing, the Student Health Center and the International Student Services Office.
Two nurses involved in caring for the first travel-related Ebola patient at a Dallas hospital have tested positive for the virus and have been transferred to hospitals outside of Texas. Health authorities are closely monitoring other individuals who have had contact with confirmed cases and have placed restrictions on their mobility.
The risk of acquiring the disease is considered very low, according to the CDC. Ebola is not transmitted through the air, as some viruses are, or through food. It is spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. Many of the initial symptoms are similar to those of the flu, which is more prevalent this time of year. Ebola symptoms include a fever greater than 101.5, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
As always, the campus community is encouraged to practice basic preventive steps, especially during flu season: frequent hand washing, getting adequate food and rest, and avoiding contact with those who are ill. Students, staff or faculty who experience symptoms of any illness are encouraged to seek help from health care providers and remain home from school or work. The UT Dallas Student Health Center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Other health care providers are located near campus. In a health emergency, individuals on campus should call UT Dallas Police at 911 or 972-883-2222.
The Student Health Center clinical staff has been trained to ask expanded CDC screening questions. Staff are also prepared to don protective gear and immediately isolate any individual who reports Ebola-like symptoms or reports having had contact with someone confirmed to have the virus. Staff then will contact the county health department for further instruction on transport to a health care facility.
Oct. 10, 2014
Ebola in Dallas: Concern Understandable, but Risk Extremely Low
President David E. Daniel addresses ebola concerns in the President to Parent newsletter: In this time of heightened concern that we all share due to the confirmation of the first travel-associated case of the Ebola virus in the U.S., I want to assure you that protecting the health and safety of students and all those who make up our campus community is our highest priority. read more