Letter from the Provost: Ebola

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Dear faculty, students and associates,

West Coast University continues to closely monitor information related to the Ebola virus, including information about two health care workers at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas who have tested positive for the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

As health care educators and professionals, we remain true to our science-based training and rely on facts, but also feel the utmost compassion for our faculty, students and associates in the Dallas campus. There is no indication that there is any connection to West Coast University regarding these cases, and we do not have a clinical relationship with Texas health Presbyterian Hospital.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Dallas County Health Department are continuing to manage the cases. The CDC has sent additional resources to Dallas to assist the hospital. Information updates are provided on the CDC website.

Members of WCU’s Emergency Operations Group are in regular contact with state and local officials and receive daily updates on the situation in Dallas.

For WCU students, faculty or staff who may be considering travel to West Africa, we are following the CDC’s Advice for Colleges, Universities and Students about Ebola in West Africa.

National and local health officials are emphasizing that the risk of contracting Ebola is very low. The Ebola virus cannot be transmitted through geographic proximity alone or casual contact, or through air or water. The virus is spread by direct contact — which means through mucous membranes or broken skin – with the body fluids of a person who is showing symptoms of the illness.

In case of a health emergency on campus, students, faculty, and associates should call the Global Security Operations Center at (855) 955-9911.

All students and faculty are reminded to practice the steps that can protect themselves and others from many kinds of illnesses: frequent and thorough hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and during this season of flu, obtaining a flu shot.

Again, as health care professionals our hearts go out to anyone affected by the Ebola virus, and we thank the nurses and doctors working diligently to provide the best health care possible to those impacted in Dallas, and throughout the world.

The following government agencies provide important information about the Ebola virus and Dallas cases:

Sincerely,

Jeb Egbert
Provost, West Coast University

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