We are in the middle of the seasonal onset of influenza-like illnesses, and as you may have seen in the news, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of a 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This novel coronavirus is a respiratory tract illness that presents flu-like symptoms. It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and has spread to several countries, including five cases in the US.
This could potentially be a serious and highly contagious illness; therefore, in an effort to educate our community, we are sharing important information about this virus and what to do if you suspect that you fit the following criteria and are experiencing symptoms:
Fever AND symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, chest pain, shortness of breath) and in the last 14 days before symptom onset had:
- A history of travel from or through the Wuhan City, China, hub, or mainland China.
- Close contact with a person who is under investigation for 2019-nCOV while that person was ill.
Fever OR symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, chest pain, shortness of breath) and in the last 14 days before symptom onset:
- Had close contact with an ill laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV patient.
If you are experiencing any symptoms, please seek medical attention right away. Call your healthcare provider first to alert them of your recent travel history and/or symptoms. If you’re a student, you can make an appointment at Student Health; just call ahead at 631-632-6740 so they’re ready for you.
While the CDC considers this a serious public health condition, 2019-nCoV has not been found to be spreading in the United States. Based on current information, the risk to New York residents is considered low.
For the latest updates on 2019-nCoV, visit the CDC website.
For further information, including how to prevent spread of the disease, travel guidance and what to do if you think you might be infected, please visit:
University Coronavirus Information page
Stony Brook Medicine Coronavirus information page
Contact info:
Thank you for posting this information. With a very high Chinese population at SBU, what is the school doing to protect its students particularly after many traveled home for winter break?? If a case was discovered at the school, would we be informed, and how?
I’ve found the University has put together a very informative FAQ page that addresses your very important questions. See link below.
Also, emails were sent out to parents who had enrolled in Student and Family Orientation Office.
I hope this helps.
https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/coronavirus/faq.php
Other SUNY universities have asked students who have traveled recently to check in with the the school health office. What is Stonybrook doing in this regard considering the large Chinese student population?
“Wilke says there are a handful of Chinese international students at SUNY Potsdam.
She says those students are being asked to check in with student health services if they’ve traveled to China on break.”
What are you doing to screen the students returning from China, from the affected areas? Are you testing them as they arrive? All before they return to their dorms and the dining halls? This is a huge concern considering the ease at which the virus spreads as well as all of the student’s proximity to one another. Your entire campus is at risk, extreme steps need to be taken, if not taken already. Thank you