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Kansas State University

Lafene Health Center
Kansas State University
1105 Sunset Avenue
Manhattan, KS 66502-3761
785-532-6544
lafene@k-state.edu

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)

SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is an acute onset, frequently fatal respiratory disease for which there is no effective treatment. At present time, this disease is limited to a few geographic areas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have established policies designed to prevent the spread of this disease.

In order to assist in that effort, Kansas State University is adopting this policy consistent with CDC and WHO standards and current medical knowledge. Our goal is an effort to protect such travelers and persons and our campus from the disease, and to help potentially exposed persons to comply with the CDC recommendations in an effort to protect the student and our campus from this disease. Comprehensive current information about SARS can be found at the CDC Web site—SARS Information for Travelers.

K-State policy

As knowledge about this disease increases, this policy may be updated. Current provisions are these:

Outgoing travelers
  • Travelers are advised to contact Lafene Health Center for current travel advice.
  • Kansas State University encourages informed decision-making about travel to areas for which CDC has issued travel advisories and alerts.
  • Current SARS risk areas and their status can be found at CDC SARS—Information for Travelers
  • The CDC discourages all but essential travel to SARS advisory areas.
  • The CDC does not discourage travel to SARS alert areas, but wishes to inform travelers about the occurrence of SARS cases in these areas and what can be done to remain healthy while traveling in these areas.
Incoming travelers
  • Anyone coming to K-State from a CDC SARS travel advisory area should call Lafene Health Center on arrival in Manhattan for advice on current monitoring policies.
  • If unable to come in promptly, please call Lafene (785.532.6544) and talk to the triage nurse before beginning campus activities.
      • Persons coming from SARS risk areas are asked to:
    • Take and record their temperatures twice daily.
    • Report fever or any signs of illness promptly to Lafene or Mercy Regional Health Center.

If a monitored person becomes ill, they should remain at their residence.

    Call:
  • Lafene (785.532.6544) during normal working hours or
  • Mercy Regional Health Care Center (785.776.2800) at other times.
    • Appropriate health care will be promptly arranged.

Persons with symptoms suggestive of SARS will be referred to Mercy Regional Health Center for evaluation.

    Mercy Regional Health Center will:
  • admit if needed,
  • recommend isolation if appropriate,
  • or release with appropriate treatment if SARS is not a threat.

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Instructions for students/faculty/staff

If you have traveled through an area that has had cases of the infection called SARS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has suggested that you do the following until you have been out of the SARS area for ten days.

If you are well:

Take your temperature twice daily and record it. Do this until you have been out of the SARS area for ten days. To help you, Lafene will provide a thermometer. You may print this chart to use to record your temperature.

  Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10
AM                    
PM                    

If any temperature is greater than 100.4 F° (38° C), call Lafene at 785.532.6544 or Mercy Regional Health Center at 785.776.2800 according to the schedule below.

If you become ill or feel you may be becoming ill: stay at home, do not attend classes or meetings.
  1. Call one of the phone numbers below if you develop any of these symptoms:
    • Fever over 100.4 F° (38° C)
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Other breathing problems
    No matter which location you call, mention that you are calling about SARS.
  2. During Lafene hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., call Lafene at 785.532.6544.
  3. At any other time, call Mercy Regional Health Center at 785.776.2800.
If you become ill with other symptoms:

If you are ill enough that you need medical care or advice, call either Lafene or Mercy Regional Health Center. Use the hours schedule listed above to decide which number to call.

Remember the risk of becoming ill with SARS is gone after you have been away from the SARS area for ten days.

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