The outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda is obviously a concern for many across our University community. Those with upcoming trips or placements in the region (including Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania) will also have some uncertainties and questions.
As always, the health and safety of our colleagues and students is paramount. While risk assessments will be in place for all upcoming trips, we encourage colleagues and students to review these, considering the high-risk nature of countries in the region. As you may be aware, at present there is no vaccine or treatment available for this strain of Ebola.
We are closely monitoring the situation and advice from the UK Health Security Agency, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the African and US Centres for Disease Control (CDC).
Based on the advice from the organisations above alongside guidance from our own academic and clinical experts and University leaders, we have taken some immediate decisions to protect the health and safety of our colleagues and students who are due to travel to the region. In doing so, we have also carefully considered the disruption and disappointment that changing such plans may cause.
All advice is based on the current situation which is constantly evolving. Colleagues and students are advised to keep up to date with any new developments or changing guidance which may affect their risk assessment and/or impact travel. Consideration should also be given to a changing situation, after outward travel.
Our information and guidance at the present time is:
Country specific advice (DRC, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania)
- We are not aware of any imminent planned travel to DRC and no trips will be approved.
- All University travel to Uganda (colleague and student) is suspended. Any costs associated with this that are not covered by insurance, will be covered by the relevant School.
- Any trip to Rwanda involving either a placement or work in healthcare sectors (for either colleagues or students) is suspended. Any costs associated with this that are not covered by insurance, will be covered by the relevant School.
- If you are imminently due to travel to Rwanda for either a placement or work that is not healthcare related, then your trip may currently go ahead as planned, but you must be aware that the situation may change.
- Planned trips to Kenya and Tanzania may remain, with traveller caution that the situation may change as we watch any developments in these areas.
- Students who have organised independent travel to any of these areas (for example, as part of a dissertation) should discuss this with their School to ensure the University is aware of their plans and risk assessments.
- Where any University business or study trips proceed and there is a change in risk level that necessitates an unplanned, safe exit from country, the University will support essential repatriation.
- All travellers should apply caution on travel to areas located close to the DRC and ensure that risk assessments are reviewed.
Reconsidering your plans
- Any colleague or student that has concerns about an upcoming trip may choose to withdraw. The cost of this will be covered locally by the relevant School, if not already covered by insurance.
- Where taught students withdraw from a trip that is directly linked to their programme, the academic requirements will still need to be met and so this should be discussed with the School.
- Where trips to the region can continue and colleagues or students are happy to travel, in addition to reviewing risk assessments, it’s wise to also consider contingency plans (eg: alternate placements) should these be needed in the future.
- Alternate placements for any students that may wish to proactively change their plans can be sought now. Any costs associated with the original placements will be covered by the relevant School, if not already covered by insurance.
Where travel plans have been originally organised by the University and are now suspended, colleagues and students will be notified directly. Where students may have organised independent travel to the region (for example, as part of a dissertation) they should discuss their plans with their School.
Colleagues or students that wish to discuss withdrawing from a planned trip or look at alternative placements, should do so with their School.
As you’ll appreciate, this is an evolving situation that we will continue to monitor closely. We will update you further with any key changes or developments.
Professor Nalin Thakkar
Vice-President for Social Responsibility