Dear UCSF Community,

We are closely monitoring the evolving Ebola outbreak affecting parts of Central and East Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, citing elevated regional risk and ongoing transmission in affected areas. U.S. public health authorities have also issued enhanced travel restrictions and screening measures related to travel from impacted countries.

Effective immediately, all non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan is prohibited for UCSF faculty, staff, and learners until further notice.

At this time, the risk to the general public in the United States remains low, according to public health authorities. However, out of an abundance of caution, we are taking proactive steps to protect safety and support continuity of operations.

Members of our community who are currently in affected regions should not engage in any clinical care activities while visiting these countries, and should:

• Monitor CDC and WHO travel advisories closely.
• Register travel with UCSF via UC Away.
• If you have not already been contacted, please contact the Occupational Health Services – Communicable Disease Response Team at [email protected] for a post-travel screening assessment.

Reminder: All UCSF travelers are required to register planned travel with UC Away. Employees and learners who make travel arrangements via the UC Travel Program (known as Connexxus or ConnexUC) will have their itinerary automatically registered for UC Away and UC’s International Travel Insurance. If travel is arranged externally, employees must register their travel directly with UC Away.

For additional information or support, employees can contact Andrew Sinclair in Risk Advisory and Insurance Services ([email protected]), and students can contact Travis Pentz in the International Students and Scholars Office ([email protected]).

We will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to the health and safety of the community.

Sincerely,

Catherine R. Lucey, MD, MACP
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost

Erin S. Gore
Senior Vice Chancellor
Finance and Administration

Joshua Adler, MD
Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer
UCSF Health