Although risk is low, UW-Madison exercises Ebola preparedness

With the first cases of Ebola diagnosed in the U.S., questions have arisen regarding the risk to the campus community and the preparedness of the university should an event occur. For the past four months, UW–Madison and University Health Services (UHS) officials have actively planned for the possibility of an Ebola case on campus and monitored university international travel, while keeping in mind the diverse needs of the campus community.  

“Ebola is extremely rare, and colleges and universities, including UW–Madison, are on the low end of risk,” says Craig Roberts, UHS epidemiologist. “However, as with any infectious disease, it’s absolutely necessary that we have emergency preparedness plans in place. We are fully prepared to deal with the Ebola virus, should a case arise.”

UHS has been working closely with the Wisconsin Division of Public Health and adhering strictly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for universities, which includes:

• Using a clearly defined screening process, including travel history, for all patients to UHS;
• Ensuring that all medical staff are prepared and have the training and equipment necessary;
• Enforcing university travel restrictions, consistent with the CDC, for countries where there remains a significant concern: Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone; and
• Requiring health risk screening and monitoring of students, faculty, staff, scholars, and other campus visitors who return from affected countries.

“Before the semester began, we identified and contacted a small number of students with recent travel from the countries affected by Ebola,” says Roberts. “Although no students were assessed as having had risk exposure, we monitored their temperatures for 21 days and they were advised of the symptoms to be on alert for.” In addition, the university has been closely monitoring university travel as well as travel conditions to ensure university travelers are not at risk.

There have been no instances of the virus in the Midwest and Roberts emphasizes that there is no cause for alarm.

“Remember that Ebola is not transmitted through the air, as some viruses are. It is spread through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. Statistically, a person is much more likely to catch the seasonal flu, mumps, or measles than Ebola.”

UW-Madison has several campus bodies charged with preparing and responding to communicable disease concern, including the University International Travel Committee and the Campus Health Issues Planning Committee. As the situation continues to change in the coming weeks, UHS will continue to provide updates, links to resources, and information for the UW–Madison community on the UHS website.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact UHS at 608-265-5600 or email epiteam@uhs.wisc.edu.