Experts to discuss SARS, low risk on campus

Updated 1:00 PM May 19, 2003

-->

Experts to discuss SARS, low risk on campus

By Nancy Connell
News Service

Campus planning for preparedness against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) will be the topic of an informational forum for staff, to be held 4-5:30 p.m. May 20 in Rackham Auditorium, sponsored by the SARS Advisory Committee. The session will be an opportunity for staff to ask questions about SARS and to get an explanation about why health professionals consider the campus to be at low risk for the disease.

SARS Advisory Committee
John Godfrey, Rackham, International Institute, co-chair; Robert Winfield, University Health Service (UHS), co-chair; Rudie Altamirano, International Center; Sonia Angell, Internal Medicine, U-M Health System (UMHS); Grace Ball, UHS; Matthew Boulton, Epidemiology; Keith Bruhnsen, Human Resources; Yvonne Chan, Washtenaw County Health Department; Carol Chenoweth, Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases, UMHS; Kay Clifford, International Center; Nancy Connell, News Service; Carol Dickerman, Office of International Programs; Cary Engleberg, Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases, UMHS, Microbiology & Immunology; Karen Gibbons, Office of the Provost; Edward Goldman, Office of the General Counsel; Mike Hanna, Occupational Safety and Environmental Health; Doug Kennedy, International Institute; Alan Levy, University Housing; Arnold Monto, Epidemiology; William Nolting, International Center; Jordan Pollack, Office of International Programs; Daniel Sharphorn, Office of the General Counsel, Jeffrey Terry, Risk Management; Mark Wilson, Epidemiology

"There have been no confirmed cases on campus and no SARS deaths anywhere in the United States," says Dr. Robert Winfield, director of the University Health Service. "We are working closely with the Washtenaw County Health Department and other health agencies to prepare the campus response in the event of an outbreak."

"A team representing the medical, academic and support units on campus has been working since early April to monitor the international SARS situation and advise campus administrators about how the University should respond," says John Godfrey, Rackham assistant dean for international education and co-chair of the committee.

The SARS informational forum, tailored specifically for staff, will include substantial opportunities for questions and answers. The session will cover what currently is known about the disease, practical guidance and advice about handling situations in the workplace and classrooms, ways to access campus resources and experts, and how the University is planning for the future should the SARS risk persist.

At the recommendation of the SARS Advisory Committee, the University last month implemented travel and program support guidelines that follow the lead of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In brief, the guidelines provide that the University cancels study abroad and does not provide funding to support individual travel or other related expenses in countries that are under a CDC travel advisory. In countries under a CDC travel alert, programs are canceled, but University funding may be used to support travel. The University places countries in its advisory and alert categories those identified as such by the CDC, and alters its definitions as the CDC makes changes. Currently, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are in the advisory category (through June 15, when the situation will be reassessed), and Singapore and Toronto are on alert status. Vietnam is in the caution category.

In addition, the SARS Advisory Committee is working on protocols for employees and investigating possible sites to quarantine students living in communal settings, in order to be ready if necessary.

Information Resources
For up-to-date University information about SARS, go to the Gateway at http://www.umich.edu and click on the link to "Information about SARS."
For CDC information about SARS and students, go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/exposurestudents.htm

"The University is taking care to be prepared should SARS become a larger issue for our campus," says Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul N. Courant. "The SARS Advisory Committee is carefully monitoring information from the CDC and the World Health Organization, creating contingency plans and reaching out to employees as well as students and faculty."

On its Web page devoted to SARS issues involving students, the CDC states, "To date, most reported patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the United States have been exposed through foreign travel to countries with community transmission of SARS with only limited secondary spread to close contacts such as family members and health-care workers. Casual contact with a SARS patient at schools, other institutions, or public gatherings (e.g., attending the same class or public gathering) has not resulted in documented transmission in the United States. However, management of students exposed (i.e., through foreign travel or close contact) to SARS patients is a concern."

As of last week, CDC had identified 64 probable cases in the United States and 279 suspect cases. In Michigan, four suspect cases and zero probable cases have been identified.

Experts to discuss SARS, low risk on campus

More stories