Pat Walker Health Center Continues to Monitor Information on Ebola

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Pat Walker Health Center at the University of Arkansas continues to closely monitor developments regarding the Ebola virus disease outbreak, including information about two health care workers in Dallas who have tested positive for the virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Both health care workers had provided care for patient Thomas Eric Duncan, who passed away from the virus October 8.

There are still no active or suspected cases of the Ebola virus disease in Arkansas.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Dallas County Health Department are continuing to manage the Dallas cases. The CDC has sent additional resources to Dallas to assist the hospital. Information updates are provided on the CDC website.

Students and others traveling to Dallas should not be alarmed. National and Dallas health officials are emphasizing that the risk of contracting Ebola is very low. The Ebola virus cannot be transmitted through geographic proximity alone or casual contact, or through air or water. The virus is spread by direct contact – which means through mucous membranes or broken skin – with the body fluids of a person who is showing symptoms of the illness.

The Pat Walker Health Center is in contact with the Arkansas Department of Health and receives regular updates on the virus. The health center has health and safety protocols in place and maintains working relationships with appropriate government agencies to remain prepared for any communicable disease or other health issues. Additionally, the health center is screening all patients for recent travel when they present to our facility.

Since August, the university health center has been following CDC protocol concerning students and faculty arriving to campus from the countries of Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone. The health center continues to ask that any members of the university community who have travelled to these affected areas within the past 21 days contact the health center.

For more information about the disease and what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are doing, visit the agency’s website at www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola. You can also read the CDC’s advice for colleges, universities and students at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/advice-for-colleges-universities-and-students-about-ebola-in-west-africa.