In order to promote the health and safety of all IU students and employees, this Public Safety Advisory is being issued for the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan.
Latest information
The CDC recently changed its travel advisory, issuing a Travel Warning-Level 3- Avoid Nonessential Travel for all travel to China. The U.S. Department of State recommends reconsidering travel to China.
IU strongly urges members of the IU community to follow the CDC advisory and to avoid nonessential travel to China at this time. IU also recommends that all individuals and programs that are planning to travel to China plan for the possibility that travel to and from China may be disrupted for some time. Students planning to travel abroad as part of an IU program should check for updated information from the Office of Overseas Study.
University administration and campus health officials, in coordination with local health departments, the Indiana State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, (CDC), continue to closely monitor the ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) related illnesses in China and in individuals who recently traveled in East Asia or Southeast Asia.
There are no known cases in Indiana or the IU community at this time and the risk to our campuses remains low. At this time, 98 percent of coronavirus cases are in mainland China. The CDC also assesses the risk of infection by the coronavirus to be low throughout the United States.
This is a rapidly changing situation and as more about the virus is understood, recommendations and affected areas may change. Information will be updated as soon as it is available and verified.
Additional information about the coronavirus
Please call your primary health care provider or your IU campus health center if you:
- Have traveled to Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, or
- Were in close contact with a person who is under investigation for coronavirus while they were ill or has a laboratory-confirmed case within the last 14 days
And
- Have symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath.
When you call, please inform them of your symptoms and recent travel or potential exposure before going to the health facility. If you are uncertain whether your travel or symptoms meet these criteria, please call your primary health care provider or your IU campus health center.
Most cases are mild and most have recovered without issue. IU will continue to monitor the situation closely.
The largest health concern on campus remains common influenza.
In light of cold and flu season and this current outbreak of a new virus, follow these best practices to help prevent the spread of illnesses:
- Stay away from ill people and stay away from others if you are ill.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow or tissue.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Use single use tissue and dispose immediately.
- Do not share drinks, food, or utensils.
- Get good sleep and drink plenty of water.
- Get an annual flu (influenza) shot through your primary care provider, local minute clinic or campus health center.
- Clean and disinfect common touch surfaces frequently.
Avoid large or crowded events if you feel sick.
The Indiana State Department of Health has information specific to the coronavirus, and has established a coronavirus hotline phone number. Call 317-233-7125 with questions or concerns regarding the coronavirus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides more information about Coronavirus 2019-nCoV.
For more information on IU’s response to this outbreak, please visit the Environmental Health and Safety coronavirus webpage.