On Monday, 29 December 2014, the British government confirmed the first reported case of Ebola in the United Kingdom. British authorities have responded to the situation and have taken appropriate action to limit the risk to the population.
Arcadia staff members are closely monitoring information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), the National Health Service in the UK, and other sources related to Ebola. Ebola is a rare, serious disease that is spread by direct contact with an infected person's blood or body fluid, contaminated objects or infected animals. Any risk of exposure to our students remains very low based on the way the disease is transmitted. The CDC continues to advise that careful hygiene, washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and avoiding contact with blood and body fluids are important preventive measures.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) monitors and provides for travel warnings related to a range of transmissible diseases. Currently no travel warning is in place for travel to the United Kingdom.
Arcadia staff will continue to monitor developments related to Ebola and travel safety as they occur, and will provide additional updates as needed. For any questions related to Ebola or health and safety during travel in general, please speak with the Arcadia in-country staff or Arlene Snyder, Director of Health, Safety, and Security (snydera@arcadia.edu).