Dear EIU Students, Faculty, and Staff:
The Ebola virus situation has captured the attention of our country as well as the world. New updates and information are issued every day through the CDC’s website and other medical and media sites. Eastern Illinois University Health Service is committed to protecting the health and well-being of our campus. As healthcare providers, we are taking steps to detect any potentially infected individuals, protect our staff members and the community, and prevent the potential spread to others.
To be at risk for Ebola, a person must have traveled to a country with widespread Ebola or had contact with an individual with the infection and have symptoms of fever and other symptoms consistent with Ebola.
Currently, all patients presenting to or calling Health Service with non-specific symptoms are asked about recent travel or exposure. Ebola will be suspected if a patient has traveled to a country with widespread Ebola transmission (currently West Africa) or has had contact with an Ebola patient in the past 21 days. Any patient with potential exposure and fever and other symptoms consistent with Ebola will be isolated and transferred for evaluation of Ebola.
Symptoms of Ebola appear 2 to 21 days after exposure, with an average of 8 to 10 days, and can include:
• Fever
• Severe headache
• Muscle pain
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal (stomach) pain
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising
Eastern Illinois University Health Service is involved with other healthcare providers in our community to develop and implement an Ebola preparedness plan. The purpose of this plan will help our community have an effective and consistent approach to assessment, isolation, transfer and evaluation of suspected Ebola patients. Updates to our website will be posted as necessary. Please refer to the CDC Ebola website, http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/index.html, for the most up-to-date information on the Ebola virus.
Sincerely,
Sheila Baker, M.D.
Medical Director
Student Health Service