Vice President and University Secretary Linda K. Lorimer has issued the following advisory to the Yale community regarding travel to areas experiencing health crises.
Recent media reports have highlighted cases of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in parts of Asia and Canada.
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a bulletin on April 3 that persons traveling to Hong Kong and Guandong Provinces in China "consider postponing all but essential travel." The WHO has also published a chart of affected areas that include Singapore; Hanoi in Vietnam; other specific areas of China -- Shanxi and Taiwan provinces; and Toronto in Ontario, Canada. See the website at www.who.int/csr/sars/en/ for this and other information.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued its own update on April 3 that was succinct: "Don't go to mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Hanoi unless you really have to."
There may be members of the University community planning trips to or through these regions. We urge you to give the most careful consideration as to whether such travel is absolutely essential, and, if the travel is not essential, to postpone your trip until the situation has been clarified.
If you must travel, the CDC recommends taking a special mask that is available from the Travel Clinic at the Yale University Health Services (YUHS). Other information is available at the YUHS website at www.yale.edu/uhs/highlights/announcements.html. YUHS asks faculty and staff returning to campus from these regions to check in with Employee Health, and students to check in with Student Medicine as they arrive back on campus.
The numbers for these services are: Employee Health, (203) 432-7978; Travel Medicine, (203) 432-0093; and Student Medicine, (203) 432-0312.
Any employees who are concerned about the risk of contracting SARS from someone who has returned from travel in these regions should speak to their supervisors. Supervisors will consult with specialists in Employee Health to determine appropriate follow up.
In addition to the WHO website, information about SARS is also available from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/.
If the current situation should change, I will be in touch to keep you up to date with developments and with any related changes in University travel procedures.
T H I S
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Review committee suggests changes to enhance education in Yale College
'Feral' robot dogs trace pedigree to Yale engineer
Yale tutors show students how 'America Counts'
University holding more 'teach-ins' on war with Iraq
University issues health crisis alert for Yale travelers
Daily News alumni discuss how journalism has changed
Actor Christopher Reeve advocates for stem cell research
Dialogue about war in Iraq continues in campus events
Exhibit traces career of experimental British photographer
Yale to train future medical leaders in re-focused program
Study finds new drug holds promise in ovarian cancer treatment
Three students are awarded Goldwater Scholarships
Truman Scholarships given to two potential leaders
Adviser to Peru's former president to present Downey Lecture
OBITUARIESRenowned historian and national parks enthusiast Robin Winks
Frederic Holmes, a noted historian of science and medicine
Psychiatrist Dr. Ira Levine, former deputy director at YPI
Edward Hoffman, had served as director of operations at Yale
Yale Entrepreneurial Society will co-host 'Innovation Summit'
Book club event will feature a talk by Dr. Ben Carson
Yale hosts fifth Powwow
Discussion by scholars will examine the current state of affairs in China
Conference highlights graduate students' work . . .
Brudner Prize winner explores the history of sexuality in talk
Campus Notes
Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News
Bulletin Board|Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page