In The News
University of Texas student was on board flight with Ebola victim
On Friday morning, the University of Texas at Austin said that a student was on a flight earlier this week from Cleveland to Dallas with Ebola victim Amber Vinson. UT President Bill Powers issued a statement to the campus community sharing the details.
"I wanted to share this information with you as soon as possible. On October 13, a University of Texas at Austin student flew on Frontier Airlines Flight 1143, on which a health care worker who has tested positive for Ebola also was a passenger," writes Powers.
"The student was not seated in the zone of concern on the plane, is not showing any symptoms, is monitoring body temperature, and is in daily contact with health officials, according to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)," Powers explains. "The student has been fully compliant beyond the CDC recommendations for possible Ebola exposure."
While health officials do not believe there is any health risk to the campus at this time, the student, who does not live on campus, is staying home from class and away from campus activities. "The university supports this decision and is providing academic and other resources that the student needs," says Powers.
The University of Texas is currently working with city, state and federal officials to monitor the situation and follow best practices. "As president and as the parent of a current UT student, I want you to know that the safety of our students, faculty, and staff always comes first," Powers concludes.
