The fear of SARS has spread to Ohio State and university officials are getting nervous about sending students abroad. The Office of International Education has discussed possible safety concerns the epidemic could cause for students scheduling trips to China.
This week the number of suspected SARS cases in Ohio increased to 10 when three people from Summit County and one man from Geauga County were treated after displaying symptoms of the illness.
Grace Johnson, assistant director for study abroad at OIE, has watched the SARS cases closely and regularly receives updates from the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A meeting will be held at the end of this month gathering OIE directors, university health officials and others linked closely with the program. They will review the safety concerns programs face and make an informed decision regarding the possibility of their cancellation.
The deadline for the decision will be May 1, Johnson said.
“If programs are canceled, we are confident that they can be run at another time. Of course, first and foremost is the safety of the students,” Johnson said.
Study abroad programs to China are separated into categories of agriculture, southwest frontiers, language and arts and culture. Johnson said all but the agriculture program, canceled due to a lack of participants, are pending until the OIE meeting.
“The goal here is to wait and see and be cautious,” Johnson said.
Roger Miller, assistant director of clinical services at student health services, is in direct contact with Johnson regarding SARS cases and the potential threat it poses on students traveling abroad.
“It is complicated to make one set decision about canceling trips,” Miller said. “At this point, any nonessential travel should be delayed. We have been working with the OIE to discuss possible risks of overseas travel.”
The Student Health Center has sent out alerts informing people about the symptoms of SARS and what to do if infection has occurred. Precautions for students traveling abroad are given similar information, including how to isolate oneself if symptoms occur.
“If we cancel programs, students will be given the opportunity to do something else this summer,” Johnson said.
Travel to areas with fewer safety issues, such as England, is one alternative Johnson has considered. Other offered activities would include an intensive language program for students that would offer an environment to recreate the experience as best they could, she said.
The Ohio Health Department added the four cases to the growing list on April 14. The Geauga County resident, a 50-year-old male, and one of the Summit County residents, a 35-year-old male, were infected during a recent trip to China. The other two Summit County residents, a 32-year-old female and 7-year-old male, were infected from direct contact with the other male.
