Guidance for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Housing
Concerning Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
Risk of Ebola in the U.S. Remains Low
Members of the SIUE community share the international concern about the outbreak in West Africa of
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) a severe, often fatal viral illness. SIUE is actively monitoring the situation, and
relying on public health resources to provide information and links to the most up-to-date and accurate
information available. This interim guidance is meant to provide some basic protocols and procedures
for monitoring, controlling and limiting any possible exposure to Ebola in the rare chance of a case
occurring within the University system. This document will be updated as necessary.
Please click the hyperlink for the latest information on Ebola from the Center for Disease Control CDC.
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Risk in the U.S.: The risk of being exposed in the U.S. continues to be low. The CDC and public
health officials throughout the country remain confident that we will be able to stop Ebola's
further spread within the U.S. through thorough case review, isolation of ill people, contacting
people exposed to the ill person and further isolation of contacts if they develop symptoms. As
long as the outbreak in West Africa continues, there will remain a chance that additional
imported cases could occur.
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If you have recently traveled to an area experiencing an Ebola outbreak and are
experiencing any symptoms of Ebola, call 911 immediately and disclose your travel
history and symptoms and avoid contact with others while symptomatic.
Transmission: Ebola is not a food-, water-, or air-borne illness. The virus is transmitted through
direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or
mouth) with:
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Blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit,
breast milk and semen) of a person who is sick (symptomatic) with Ebola.
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Objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus.
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Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, by food. However in
Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for
food) and contact with infected bats. There is no evidence that mosquitos or other
insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only mammals (for example, humans, bats, monkeys
and apes) have shown the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus.
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Symptoms of Ebola include:
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Fever
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Severe headache
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Muscle pain
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Weakness
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Diarrhea
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Vomiting
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Abdominal (stomach) pain
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Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)
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Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the
average is 8 to 10 days.
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Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient’s immune
response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at
least 10 years.
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Consult the Illinois State Department of Public Health IDPH and CDC algorithms for
evaluating patients potentially exposed to Ebola.
Guidance for on-campus housing in the event of a suspected Ebola case:
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Avoid direct contact with any potentially infected individual.
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Until the individual departs for medical care keep them isolated in the room (ideally
with a private bathroom) and door closed to the hallway if possible.
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Once the individual has left for medical care, immediately close off the room (and any
areas where the suspected patient had recent prolonged contact) to everyone and
prohibit access until further notice and testing of the patient can be conducted.
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There is no need to close off other areas where the suspected patient has only passed
through unless there is visible blood or body fluid contamination present.
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Contact the SIUE Emergency Management & Safety (EM&S) department who will then
be contacting other local, state, and federal public health partners who will begin to
investigate the outbreak if testing confirms Ebola.
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With the assistance of EM&S, arrange for a contracted professional vendor to
decontaminate the room and any areas where the patient may have had direct contact.
EM&S and/or health officials can also advise at this time on any other necessary
decontamination or waste management procedures.
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Any family members or roommates that are determined to have a high-risk of exposure
may be isolated and have their health monitored for 21 days. In conjunction with public
health officials, guidance will be provided on how and where these individuals should be
housed and isolated during this time. Roommates and family members do not pose a
risk of disease transmission as long as they are asymptomatic.
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Those with low-risk or casual contact will be identified and have their health monitored
daily for 21 days by University and/or other public health officials or personnel.
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If for some reason staff absolutely has to be in areas where an ill person had been
staying prior to decontamination, personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn.
People in these areas should not be conducting activities that may produce splash or
spillage (i.e. - wet cleaning). Good hygiene practices and frequent hand washing should
occur. Consult with EM&S if persons need to enter these areas and keep a log of anyone
that must enter the area/room including contact information.
This guideline was developed in part from guidance documents concerning Ebola from Indiana University with their permission.