Public health situation
Individuals who have been exposed to a communicable disease will be identified, notified and treated in accordance with the directives of the Public Health Department.
Ebola Information (updated October 24, 2014)
The University of Kansas is monitoring the Ebola outbreak in western Africa. At present, no immediate threat to our campuses has been identified.
Watkins Health Services (WHS) is receiving bulletins from the Centers for Disease Control and coordinating with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department on the topic of Ebola and, if needed, will distribute necessary information through campus communication channels. Detailed infection control systems are in place and will continue to be updated.
As in any situation, students who need medical attention should call 911 for an emergency, or contact WHS for non-emergency care at (785) 864-9500.
Additional Information:
- Ebola Information from the CDC
- Ebola Information from the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department
- KU Watkins Health Services
- U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings & Alerts
- Ebola and KU travel policy update (October 24)
Meningitis policy (effective Aug. 1, 2005)
The University of Kansas-Lawrence Campus:
- Requires all students starting residence in Department of Student Housing residence halls, scholarship halls and Jayhawker Towers to receive the meningitis vaccination.
- Strongly recommends that students living in other forms of group housing such as sorority/fraternity houses, Naismith Hall, etc., receive the vaccination.
- Encourages all other students to consider vaccination.
- Encourages all students to become knowledgeable about meningitis and its symptoms in order to reduce their personal risk.
All students starting residence in university-owned group housing must either provide written documentation of immunization or sign a waiver to indicate they have been informed about the disease and vaccine and have chosen not to be immunized. Before a waiver is granted, the student must meet with the WHS Chief of Staff. If the student received this vaccination more than five years prior to attending KU, it will be necessary for the student to receive a booster dose. WHS recommends this being done prior to the student attending Orientation. Non-compliant students will be placed on "Administrative HOLD" following the first week of classes and remain on Administrative HOLD until the compliance is documented with WHS.
"Administrative HOLD" means that the student is unable to enroll or to obtain transcripts or a diploma. We also encourage all KU students to consider getting the vaccine to reduce their risk.
Preventative measures include:
- Practice good personal hygiene by covering your mouth when sneezing and coughing.
- Wash hands frequently with soap.
- Do not share eating or drinking utensils.
- Maintain good general health by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate rest and avoiding alcohol.
- Avoid inhaling cigarette smoke, because it increases susceptibility to infection.
- Know the symptoms of the disease and immediately see a physician if they should occur.
- Consider getting the meningococcal vaccine, especially if you are in group housing.
Those who experience close-care contact may be advised to receive prophylactic antibiotics.
More Meningitis Information: