The Department of State has issued a Level 3 advisory for all of China, as well as a Level 4 advisory for Hubei. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 3 warning for all of China.
UK students will not permitted to travel to China at this time. Under UK Administrative Regulation 4:9, students may not conduct UK-endorsed travel to any country or region under a Department of State Level 3 advisory (or higher) or a CDC Warning Level 3. This applies to all students at the University (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) as well as to graduate medical education (GME) residents, regardless of whether the student is earning academic credit associated with the trip.
All non-essential University-sponsored travel to China by faculty, staff, or students will not be approved at this time. Appeals will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We are working with those impacted to re-arrange or rescheduled trips planned in the near term.
The health and safety of our community is our top priority. As a global campus, we want to communicate in a timely way with factual information. At this time, there have been no reported cases on campus. Below is the latest information we have about coronavirus. This page will be updated as we know more.
For questions related to travel restrictions, please contact UK’s International Center at 859-218-4961.
If you’re feeling anxious or have concerns, you’re not alone. We encourage you to reach out to our Counseling Center at 859-257-8701.
For medical attention, please contact University Health Service at 859-323-2778.
Frequently Asked Questions
What advice is the US Department of State giving to travelers?
As of January 27, 2020, China has been designated a Level 3 – “Reconsider Travel” location. Hubei Province has been designated a Level 4 – “Do Not Travel” location. For information see: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/china-travel-advisory.html
What advice is the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention giving to travelers?
As of January 27, 2020, China has been designated a Level 3 – “Avoid Nonessential Travel” location. For more information see: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china
What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats.
2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, suggesting person-to-person spread is occurring. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. The latest situation summary updates are available on CDC’s web page 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China.
Who has been impacted and how widespread is the issue?
A novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was recently identified in Wuhan City, China, with travel-related cases in other parts of Asia as well. On Jan. 21, the first case of this virus in the United States was identified in a traveler who returned from the outbreak area. Although this is a serious public health concern, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk to the general American public to be low.
To date, more than 400 cases have been identified, and person-to-person spread appears to be occurring. Some of these cases have been severe, with several deaths reported. However, many patients have had mild disease.
How is the virus transmitted?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS and SARS. Many of the patients in the pneumonia outbreak caused by 2019-nCov in Wuhan, China had some link to a large seafood and live animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring.
When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of SARS and MERS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.
It’s important to note that how easily a virus spreads person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. It’s not clear yet how easily 2019-nCoV spreads from person-to-person. It’s important to know this to better understand the risk associated with this virus.
There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with 2019-nCoV and investigations are ongoing. The latest situation summary updates are available on CDC’s web page 2019 Novel Coronavirus, Wuhan, China.
How should individuals on the UK campus respond?
Health care officials at the University of Kentucky do not believe this case presents any danger to the campus. Community members are encouraged to continue their business as normal. At the same time, if you have traveled to the area in the past 14 days or have come into contact with someone who has, and you believe you are experiencing symptoms, contact University Health Service immediately at 859-323-2778.
Who should seek medical attention?
Patients with fever and/or acute respiratory illness who have traveled to Wuhan, China in the past 14 days, or who have had close contact with someone who is under investigation for, or lab-confirmed, with 2019-nCoV should seek medical attention.
You should call ahead before going to the doctor or emergency room, describe your symptoms and identify when you were in Wuhan.
What are the symptoms?
Patients with confirmed 2019-nCoV infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The CDC believes at this time that symptoms of 2019-nCoV may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure.
What is the treatment?
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for 2019-nCoV infection. People infected with 2019-nCoV should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.
People who think they may have been exposed to 2019-nCoV should contact their health care provider immediately.
At this time, diagnostic testing for 2019-nCoV can be conducted only at CDC.
How can I protect myself from becoming infected?
There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
As a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
More information
For more information, visit the CDC’s website.
Contact
University Health Service, 859-323-2778
Source: University of Kentucky News
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
RSS