Sources: Dr. Earl J. Reppert, 785-532-6544; and Pat Bosco, 785-532-6237
Links: From K-State: http://www.ksu.edu/lafene/sars.htm
Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/
News release prepared by: Cheryl May , 785-532-6415

Tuesday, June 10, 2003

K-STATE RELEASES SARS POLICY WITH HEALTH INFORMATION AND WEB SITE

MANHATTAN -- According to Kansas State University's Dr. Earl J. Reppert, the university recently has developed a policy on SARS - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. And Lafene Health Center, where Reppert is medical director, is making available a Web site with information about the disease, along with links to the Centers for Disease Control Web site on the topic.

"We want our university policy to be proactive, balanced, flexible and fair," Reppert said. "Our primary focus is to inform all our students, faculty and staff, but especially those who may be directly affected by a policy on SARS."

Pat Bosco, dean of student life and associate vice president for institutional advancement, said K-State, as an international hub of learning and scholarship, has students and faculty traveling all over the world conducting research, studying, community service and participating in exchanges with other universities.

"The new policy isn't aimed only at those students traveling to the United States from Centers for Disease Control-identified countries," Bosco said.

Everyone coming to K-State who has traveled through an area that has had cases of SARS is asked to monitor their health, Reppert said.

"If the individual is feeling well, we ask that they take their temperature twice daily until they have been out of the SARS area for 10 days," he said. "If they feel ill, we ask that they stay home, do not attend classes or meetings, and contact Lafene at 532-6544 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or any other time contact Mercy Regional Health Center at 776-2800."

Reppert said symptoms might include fever over 100.4 F (38 C); cough; shortness of breath; difficulty breathing; or other breathing problems.

According to the Centers for Disease Control Web site, most of the U.S. cases of SARS have occurred among travelers returning to the United States from other parts of the world with the disease. There have been very few cases spread to close contacts such as family members and health care workers. Currently, there is no evidence that SARS is spreading more widely in the community in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control Web site is updated on an as-needed basis, with travel alerts and travel advisories issued and revised. To date, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Hanoi, Vietnam, Mainland China, Toronto and Singapore have been listed. Some of these alerts and advisories have already been canceled as the disease has been controlled in those areas.

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LAFENE GOALS/EFFORTS/GUIDELINES/PROTOCOL FOR INCOMING STUDENTS FROM CDC SARS RISK AREAS

After notification from the university, Lafene will:

--Before their arrival, attempt to notify these clients about our SARS policy.

--Ask them to come promptly to Lafene on arrival in Manhattan.

--Meet with each incoming student from CDC SARS advisory area.

--Educate clients about SARS, providing them with:

educational material about SARS in their native language when possible,
thermometer,
list of symptoms to watch for,
Phone number of Mercy Regional Health Center's emergency room (785-776-2800),
Lafene triage phone number (785-532-6544) and
instruction on which number to call first.

Clients will be asked to call Lafene if:
--Their temperature is over 100.4 F
--They develop signs of respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, breathing problems).

If a client calls whose history and symptoms are compatible with SARS, Lafene will notify Mercy Regional Health Center and arrange for an urgent emergency room evaluation.

Inform client that if Lafene is closed, he/she should call Mercy (776-2800) to discuss history and arrange visit if needed.

Explain that, if they develop symptoms, they are to stay at home and call before they come to Lafene or Mercy.

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TEXT OF K-STATE'S SARS POLICY

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is an acute onset, frequently fatal respiratory disease for which there is no effective treatment. At present time, this disease is limited to a few geographic areas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established policies designed to prevent the spread of this disease. In order to assist in that effort, Kansas State University is adopting this policy consistent with CDC and WHO standards and current medical knowledge. Our goal is an effort to protect such travelers and persons and our campus from the disease, and to help potentially exposed persons to comply with the CDC recommendations in an effort to protect the student and our campus from this disease. Comprehensive current information about SARS can be found at the CDC Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel.htm

As knowledge about this disease increases, this policy may be updated.

Current provisions are these:

OUTGOING TRAVELERS

Travelers are advised to contact Lafene Health Center for current travel advice.

Kansas State University encourages informed decision-making about travel to areas for which CDC has issued travel advisories and alerts.

Current SARS risk areas and their status can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel.htm

The CDC discourages all but essential travel to SARS advisory areas. The CDC does not discourage travel to SARS alert areas, but wishes to inform travelers about the occurrence of SARS cases in these areas and what can be done to remain healthy while traveling in these areas.

INCOMING TRAVELERS

Anyone coming to K-State from a CDC SARS travel advisory area should call Lafene Health Center on arrival in Manhattan for advice on current monitoring policies. If unable to come in promptly, please call Lafene (785-532-6544) and talk to the triage nurse before beginning campus activities.

Persons coming from SARS risk areas are asked to:

Take and record their temperatures twice daily.

Report fever or any signs of illness promptly to Lafene or Mercy Regional Health Center.

IF A MONITORED PERSON BECOMES ILL

They should remain at their residence.

Call:
Lafene (532-6544) during normal working hours or
Mercy Regional Health Care Center (785-776-2800) at other times.
Appropriate health care will be promptly arranged.

Persons with symptoms suggestive of SARS will be referred to Mercy Regional Health Center for evaluation.

Mercy will:
admit if needed,
recommend isolation if appropriate,
or release with appropriate treatment if SARS is not a threat.

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Kansas State University is a comprehensive, research, land-grant institution first serving students and the people of Kansas, and also the nation and the world.