Information available for safe travel in Western Africa

In light of increasing concerns about the Ebola outbreak in western Africa, University of Wisconsin-Madison Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf has provided several ways to obtain the latest information if you plan to travel in the area.

CDC Website

University Health Service (UHS) is maintaining a website with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) travel warnings, alerts, and advice.  Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone currently are currently subject to a travel warning against nonessential travel.  A travel alert has been issued for travelers to Nigeria and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Students contact University International Travel Committee

Undergraduate and graduate/professional students making plans to travel to countries in western Africa subject to a CDC Travel Warning must contact the University through the University International Travel Committee (UITC) co-chairs before travel to discuss their plans and university requirements for such travel. The UITC chairs (Dan Gold and Jolanda Vanderwal Taylor) can be reached through the International Academic Program’s office of the Division of International Studies, 608-265-6329.

Faculty and staff contact study abroad office/UITC

Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to make contact with their study abroad office or the UITC to ensure that all international travel assistance has been employed, including insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI), and that contact information is available should the University need to reach travelers abroad.

Returning from Ebola infected areas

All faculty, staff, and students returning from Ebola affected areas must contact UHS at 608-265-5610 immediately upon their return for a screening risk assessment and instructions for health monitoring before returning to work and/or study. Healthcare personnel may be subject to additional requirements and should refer to the communication dated September 22, 2014, from UWHC and SMPH/UWMF for more information.