By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Fort Hays State University continues to monitor the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak, but as rumors continue to spread about possible infections, university officials are reminding the public that the danger of the virus locally is low, and like other communicable diseases can be even lower when preventative measures are taken.
"As a university, one of our concerns is taking care of our students and taking care of our staff," said Lynn Adams, director of student health.
"We wanted to share the information they needed, not rumors, not exaggerations, but specific information on what a person needs to know about this virus," Adams said.
The Centers for Disease Control said the risk to anyone in the U.S. remains low.
But as a precaution, they shared information with the university community on prevention and how to proceed if they become ill.
"One of the most important things you can do is keeping your hands clean," Adams said.
That includes good and proper handwashing whenever possible, and the use of sanitizer when handwashing is not available, he said.
While there are reasons to remain watchful of the outbreak, Adams said it is important to keep the outbreak in perspective to other communicable diseases.
"It is important to recognize our risk here is low," Adams said.
The CDC estimates there have been as many as 31 million flu cases in the U.S. with as high as 30,000 deaths since October.
But as rumors continue in the area about potential cases, Adams said Wednesday he contacted the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to confirm there are no suspected cases in Kansas.
The virus is responsible for around 560 deaths in China, he said, with most victims being older with other underlying illnesses.
"So the lethality of this virus is relatively low," Adams said. "Certainly when compared to other Coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS, which made the headlines in years past."
However, as a precaution, the university has imposed a travel ban to China, similar to other state universities and the U.S. State Department.
The travel ban was announced to university faculty Thursday in an email.
"Effective immediately, and until further notice, Fort Hays State University is restricting all travel to China. The restriction applies to all university faculty, staff, and students. No institution-related travel to China will be authorized or approved by the university, and we will defer any upcoming travel to China," the announcement said.
Scott Cason, FHSU chief communications officer, said the announcement only applied to official university travel, as faculty members who teach in China were already responsible for their own travel arrangements and would be subject to the U.S. travel restrictions.
The U.S. policy would apply to student travel as well.
"Our faculty who work in China face unique travel and destination challenges as this health crisis continues to evolve," the announcement said. "FHSU faculty serving in China are exempt from this policy, as we continue to work closely to identify potential short-term and longer-term solutions."
Cason noted the closest FHSU partner school is 450 miles away from the Wuhan province — where the outbreak began and remains the most prevalent.