Dear members of the University community,
The University Administration continues to monitor the developments of the Ebola outbreak. In alignment with the recommendations provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our travel insurance partner (ACE), Barry University is temporarily suspending all university-related travel to and from the West Africa Region, specifically Sierra Leone, Liberia and parts of Guinea effective immediately and until further notice. We believe this is in the best interest of the Barry University community. We are also temporarily suspending sponsorship of visas from those same countries for new Barry University students. The travel and sponsorship suspensions will be extended to any other country that receives a CDC Travel Warning for the outbreak of Ebola. We will continue to monitor this situation and comply with the guidance of the CDC, State Health Department, and if applicable, local public health authorities. Links to the CDC for updates can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Student Health Center at 305-899-3333.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often-fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees) that has appeared on the western coast of Africa – specifically the countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea. Ebola has been shown to spread between people who are in close contact with infected body fluids including saliva, secretions, and blood. Currently there is no vaccine, and treatment involves supportive IV fluid hydration, blood transfusion when necessary and possibly experimental medications.
Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days. Symptoms of Ebola include:
- Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F)
- Severe headache
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
- Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)
For more information about the Ecola Virus, please visit the Student Health Center advisory page.
Thank you,
The Executive Committee of the Administration