Colleges Inform Students on Coronavirus
With over 17,391 reported cases globally, the Wuhan novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has caused international concern with the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a global health emergency.
As of Feb 3., 362 deaths have been reported. 361 of them being reported inside China’s borders.
WHO observes the massive potential to lead to a large outbreak, that they are releasing new reports daily updating the statistics and countries affected.
“It should be noted that the majority of the Marist community are far more likely to be impacted by the Influenza virus than this coronavirus,”
With 11 confirmed cases in the United States and the potential for rapid outbreak, college campuses are beginning to take action to inform and remind students of basic sanitary practices to help combat respiratory viruses, Marist College is no different.
In a message sent out by Deborah Dicaprio on Jan. 31 penned by Dr. Mellissa Schiskie, Director of Health Services, critical information was dispersed to educate and inform the community about the Wuhan coronavirus.
Cover photo: US Department of State
The first distinction made in the school wide email was what the name coronavirus meant. “Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Historically, most coronaviruses that infect people usually only cause mild respiratory disease, such as the common cold,” Dr. Schiskie said. While the effects of a coronavirus can be mild, severe outbreaks have been seen, such as the SARS outbreak in 2003 causing 774 deaths internationally.
Given that the Coronavirus is a respiratory illness, the symptoms simulate that of a normal respiratory illness. “. . . fever, cough, body aches, sore throat, etc. More severe cases can include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath,” Dr. Schiskie noted in the email distributed.
With a confirmed 11 cases in the United States, Marist College has increased awareness for a potential outbreak reaching the Hudson Valley.
“Here on campus, multiple offices have been working to share information on this virus, which has now been declared a global health emergency. These departments include Marist Abroad Programs, plus the Offices of Student Affairs (inc Health Services), Safety & Security and Marketing & Communication,” Dr. Schiskie said via email Feb. 1 to the Marist Circle.
In order to protect the Marist Community as best as possible and anticipate the impact Coronavirus might have, Health Services is in contact with local colleges and health organizations. “Of course, this is all being done in effort to protect the general health and wellness of the Marist community,” Dr. Schiskie said.
In order to provide accurate information and understand the coronavirus, Health Services is connected to multiple organizations, local and international, to share and receive information in understanding the virus.
“Currently, we are also regularly reviewing the information shared from the NY State Dept of Health, the CDC and WHO and actively participating in educational initiatives these departments have offered,” Dr. Schiskie said.
While at the moment there is no vaccine, it is vital to continue normal sanitary practices to limit the potential rapid spread of any viruses whether influenza or 2019-nCoV.
“We should all practice the general hand-washing measures, cough & respiratory etiquette highlighted by the CDC to decrease our risk of contracting any respiratory illnesses, from the coronavirus to the more common (and locally-widespread) flu virus,” Dr. Schiskie said concerning the most effective defense against Coronavirus and other respiratory viruses.
International efforts are being made to contain the spread of coronavirus, having China almost near construction of a 1000 bed hospital in the epicenter of the outbreak, Wuhan, in nearly 10 days and airport quarantines internationally from flights originating in China.
While the global risk factor designated by WHO is high, Marist College ensures that students are more likely to get affected by the normal influenza virus than the coronavirus. “In general, it should be noted that the majority of the Marist community are far more likely to be impacted by the Influenza virus than this coronavirus,” Dr. Schiskie said.