Risk is small, but U of R taking precautions with Ebola

Officials at the University of Regina say the risk of Ebola showing up on campus is small but precautions are advised. Ebola is a serious virus that has affected people in western Africa.

According to officials, fewer than 300 students at the U of R come from countries affected by the Ebola outbreak and most of them arrived in Canada before the outbreak began.

The university is asking students from affected countries in West Africa to not go home during breaks in their studies, unless they have to, in accordance with advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

"PHAC is advising against all non-essential travel to impacted areas," a note to students and staff said. "We encourage members of the university community to follow this advisory for all non-essential work-related or personal travel."

As well, the university has circulated information sheets describing what symptoms people should be aware of and what to do if they feel sick.

"We'll continue to work with public health and if there is some further concern that's issued, if the cases continue to rise, or the outbreak gets worse, we'll react appropriately," Darren Cherwaty, director of health, safety and the environment at the university, told CBC News Wednesday.

He added the risk of Ebola is not great for people on campus.

"We are a large community and we're at more risk, I would suggest, of an influenza outbreak here at the University of Regina," he said. "So we're always suggesting good hand hygiene, good infection control practices."