At this time, the University is actively in the process of contacting the small number of students known to be traveling in the affected region.
Columbia's International SOS service has issued travel advisories for any members of the community planning to visit these areas: https://www.internationalsos.com/countryguide/medicalalerts.aspx?languageid=ENG
The CDC has also issued a warning to avoid nonessential travel to the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. This Level 3 travel warning is a reflection of the worsening Ebola outbreak in this region and the severity of the illness. For more details, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2014/p0731-ebola.html
For more information on the CDC's ongoing monitoring of the situation, or to contact the CDC, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/guinea/index.html?mobile=nocontent&s_cid=cdc_homepage_whatsnew_001
Members of the University community are strongly encouraged to heed the CDC and U.S State Department’s cautions regarding travel in this region. Travelers returning from this region are being advised by the CDC as follows:
Persons returning from an affected area but have not had direct contact with the body fluids of symptomatic infected persons or animals, or objects that have been contaminated with body fluids, should monitor their health for 10 days. Those with a potential exposure should monitor their health for 21 days post exposure. Regardless, any traveler who becomes ill, even if only a fever, should consult a health-care provider immediately.
Students may contact campus health services with any questions or concerns:
- Morningside: Columbia Health 212-854-2284
- CUMC: Student Health Services, 212-305-3400