Ithaca College

Submitted on behalf of Vivian Lorenzo, Medical Services Director, and Tanya Saunders, Assistant Provost for International Studies.

In response to the ongoing developments regarding the outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa and the three confirmed cases in the United States, we are writing to provide you with information specific to the Ithaca College community.

The Center for Counseling, Health and Wellness has been working in conjunction with the Tompkins County Department of Health, Cayuga Medical Center, Cornell’s Gannett Health Services, and other key health-care providers in our community to assure that we are prepared to screen and triage for Ebola virus according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and provide appropriate initial care for patients with suspect Ebola virus while protecting the health and safety of the campus community.

The risk for Ebola virus disease at Ithaca College remains extremely low at this time. Ithaca College does not have any students who reside in or are from the affected West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and we are not aware of any students, faculty, or staff with recent travel to these areas or with exposure to anyone with Ebola virus disease.

The Office of International Programs reminds members of the campus community that under Ithaca College policy, the College will not support travel to countries under a U.S. State Department Travel Warning. This means that travel to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone will not be approved by Ithaca College and should be avoided, as recommended by the CDC, in order to prevent the spread of Ebola and to help these countries contain and treat the disease. Anyone travelling to countries sharing borders with Guinea, Sierra Leone, or Liberia (Mali, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Cote D’Ivoire, and Senegal) should visit the CDC website for Travel Health Notices and up-to-date guidance and recommendations.

It is also important to note that Ebola virus is not transmitted through the air or by casual contact. Transmission of this virus requires direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who has active symptoms of Ebola disease.

If any student has concerns about a possible exposure to Ebola virus, we ask that you call Hammond Health Center promptly at 607-274-3177 to speak with a medical provider. You should call us before coming to the Health Center so that we may discuss your situation and make a plan for appropriate care. Faculty and staff members with Ebola exposure concerns should contact their health-care provider.

Hammond Health Center and the Office of International Programs will continue to closely monitor the Ebola virus situation and all related CDC recommendations. We will update the campus community as necessary.

We are fortunate to live in a community with the resources to prepare for a health concern such as Ebola. We are keenly aware of the suffering of those affected by this illness in West Africa and encourage members of the Ithaca College community to donate to one of the medical organizations currently working on Ebola relief.

For further information on Ebola virus, please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola.

C. Vivian Lorenzo, M.D.
Medical Services Director
Center for Counseling, Health and Wellness

Tanya Saunders, Ph.D.
Assistant Provost for International Studies
Office of the Provost and Vice President for Educational Affairs