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Dr. Aileen Marty, professor of infectious diseases, explains coronavirus

Dr. Aileen Marty, professor of infectious diseases, explains coronavirus

The following update was shared with the university community on Jan. 27.
Campus & Community

January 27, 2020 at 12:00pm

As you may have seen in the news, there are more than 2,700 confirmed cases of a new coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China. Additional cases have been identified in a growing number of countries, including the United States, where a total of five cases in travelers from Wuhan have been confirmed in Arizona, California, Illinois and Washington State. 

This coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a serious respiratory illness that has caused as many as 80 deaths, sparking growing global concern.

FIU is committed to the health and wellness of our students, faculty and staff. While there have been no cases reported in Florida, we wanted to take the opportunity to remind you to stay alert and informed and seek medical attention if you need it. 

The Florida Department of Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor the current outbreak. The Department is coordinating with local partners to investigate, confirm, contain and report any suspected cases, should they occur.

FIU students and faculty in Tianjin, China, have not been impacted by the outbreak. However, they have been advised to not return to the Tianjin campus until Feb. 24. In the meantime, arrangements are being made for students to continue their coursework online.

Anyone who has returned from China in the last two weeks and is feeling ill – headache, cough, fever – must seek medical attention immediately. Please call ahead to advise the doctor’s office of the recent travel. This virus is dangerous and highly contagious.

For additional information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Florida Department of Health. 

Any member of the university community with non-essential upcoming travel to China should consider postponing it. Note that the U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory. 

Students with concerns may contact FIU Student Health Services at 305-348-2401. Faculty, staff and other members of the community may contact FIU Health at 305-348-3627(DOCS).

FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Infectious Diseases Professor Dr. Aileen Marty works with the World Health Organization and has responded to other disease outbreaks around the world. Dr. Marty shared some thoughts about the current outbreak.