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Ebola Effect: US Universities Screen West-African Students

By Peter R | Update Date: Aug 29, 2014 01:54 PM EDT

Students coming to US from West African countries hit by Ebola are now being screened at their universities, a move that is expected to be followed by UK.

Reports quoting various colleges on Friday, informed that while colleges have not been required by the health authorities or the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to screen students, many institutions are asking their students to monitor their temperature over 21 days and keep tabs on their health during this period, which is seen as the time window for Ebola symptoms.

"I would expect that. It's a very logical thing to do," 31-year-old University of Akron graduate student Moses Ogunseye was quoted saying by Fox News, while adding the screening is voluntary.

Alma Olson, Director of student health services at the Ohio based university said students will report at the end of 21-day period for a final check. She added that there is not much concern given the way Ebola spreads.

Federal government figures quoted by Seattle Times points to 9,728 active Nigerian students in the US besides  204 from Liberia, 169 from Sierra Leone and 95 students from Guinea, the four West Africa countries that have been hit by the worst Ebola outbreak Africa has seen.

While universities downplayed concerns, parents have expressed them, which has led some universities to adopt procedures as per recommendations of American College Health Associations. Universities are required to learn where patients have traveled besides using isolated exam rooms.  

Daily Mail reported that screenings are also being planned at the University at Buffalo, Mercer University in Georgia, and Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

It further said universities in UK have received a circular from Public Health England on recognizing symptoms and handling detections. Following the circular and the expected arrival of large number of students from Nigeria, UK universities will follow suit, Daily Mail reported.  

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