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Emory issues guidelines for staff, students returning from West Africa

Emory University and Emory Healthcare issued guidelines Aug. 6 for physicians, faculty, staff and students who may be returning from travel to Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia or Nigeria, the countries involved in the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The guidelines, sent on behalf of Emory’s Occupational Injury Management, explain the protocol for monitoring these travelers’ health upon their return to the Emory community.

Here is the email distributed this morning:

Dear Staff, Physicians and Students:

By now, you are all very much aware of the media attention at EUH since the arrival of the two American volunteers with Ebola virus. The spotlight may be on the two patients at EUH, but the Ebola outbreak in West Africa continues to escalate. While the CDC considers Ebola to pose little risk to our country at this time, individuals traveling to the countries where Ebola cases are occurring may be at risk for exposure. Therefore, Emory has put in place the following protocol for all Emory faculty, staff and students who have recently traveled to or are planning to travel to Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia or Nigeria.

Who to contact upon return

  • Emory faculty and staff: Prior to returning to work after travel, Emory faculty/staff should contact Paula Desroches, NP, Director of Occupational Injury Management, at 678-640-6185, or Emily Beck, NP, Clinical Lead with Occupational Injury Management, at 443-413-3677, for counseling.
  • Emory students: Prior to returning to campus/classes, Emory students with recent travel to the countries listed above should contact Student Health Services’ Michael Huey, M.D., Executive Director, at 404-712-8652, or Gertrude Thompson, RN, BSN, Director of Nursing, at 404-727-7219, for counseling.

Procedures for 21 days

  • Emory faculty/staff and students should check their temperature and report any symptoms, including headache, joint/muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain or lack of appetite once daily from the first day of their return from travel and for 21 days thereafter. For a complete list of Ebola symptoms, visit the CDC website.
  • In the event of onset of a fever of 100 degrees or higher or any of the symptoms listed above, DO NOT REPORT TO WORK OR SCHOOL.  
Procedures if you are symptomatic
  • Symptomatic faculty/staff should contact Paula Desroches, NP, or Emily Beck, NP, with Occupational Injury Management, immediately at the phone numbers above for further guidance.
  • Symptomatic Emory students should contact Student Health Services’ Michael Huey, M.D., or Gertrude Thompson, RN, BSN, immediately at the phone numbers above for further guidance.
Thank you for your commitment to providing a safe environment and to your personal well-being.

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