Information on the Ebola Virus

(Updated 10/23/14)

William Paterson University has been actively monitoring the news about the Ebola virus that has been disseminated by the New Jersey Department of Health, The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the American College Health Association. In accordance with the recommendations of these agencies, we are posting the following precautionary information. The outbreak is primarily affecting four countries in West Africa: Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Symptoms of Ebola typically include:

  • Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F)
  • Severe headache
  • Muscle pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal (stomach) pain

Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola virus, although 8-10 days is most common.

Transmission
When an infection does occur in humans, the virus can be spread in several ways to others. The virus is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with

  • a sick person's blood or body fluids (urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen)
  • objects (such as needles) that have been contaminated with infected body fluids
  • infected animals

Please see the following CDC links for more information on the Ebola virus:

http://nj.gov/health/cd/vhf/documents/West_Afr.pdf
http://www.State.nj.us/health
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/symptoms/index.html
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/ebola-inbound-infographic

We are asking anyone in the campus community who has traveled over the past month to any of the affected areas, to contact the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center at 973-720-2360. If you have traveled to these areas, the Health Staff will determine your level of risk exposure and provide education on how to monitor for symptoms. If you have traveled and already have any of the symptoms listed above please contact us immediately. In the event that we are closed, call the Emergency Departments below for guidance. Do not go directly to the William Paterson University Counseling, Health and Wellness Center or Hospital Emergency Department without first calling and speaking with a health care provider.

  • Hackensack UMC Medical Center in Hackensack  551-996-2300
  • University Hospital in Newark                                 973-972-5123
  • Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick    732-828-3000

Jill Guzman, DNP, CPNP
Director of Counseling, Health and Wellness Center
William Paterson University
973-720-2257
Guzmanj21@wpunj.edu