A new respiratory virus was identified in Wuhan City, China, in 2019. Since then, thousands of cases have been identified and the virus has traveled to numerous countries including the United States.
Shippensburg University sent out an email to students on Jan. 26 to address the growing threat of the new virus.
“At this time, we are aware of no individuals at Shippensburg University to be affected or exposed to the Wuhan Virus,” the email, sent on behalf of Donta Truss, senior vice president of enrollment management, states.
The email warns students to remain vigilant and to identify any possible cases of the virus.
Additionally, the email notes that the coronavirus does not appear to be any more serious than the flu, but still acknowledges major concerns, including the fact that no one is immune to it and that it has the potential to be widespread.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that in terms of the situation in the U.S., “This virus is NOT currently spreading in the community.”
The CDC is and will continue to monitor the situation closely and is currently working with the World Health Organization, as well as public health partners, to respond to the “emerging public health threat.”
It is likely that the virus will continue to spread through person-to-person contact in the future, including in the United States, though the new virus is a low risk at this time.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html.
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