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MSU to halt China travel as coronavirus spreads

January 30, 2020
<p>A student walks into Olin Health Center on Oct. 23, 2017.</p>

A student walks into Olin Health Center on Oct. 23, 2017.

Photo by Anntaninna Biondo | The State News

Michigan State University announced they will halt the next eight weeks of all nonessential univeristy travel to China just as the World Health Organization declares the novel coronavirus a global health emergency.

Countries and organizations around the world are beginning to take precautions from the virus originating in the city of Wuhan has infected more than 12,000 and killed 170 people, according to WHO.

On Thursday afternoon, the Michigan State University Physician David Weismantel and the Vice President and Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Services Denise Maybank sent out an email updating the MSU student body on the coronavirus. 

In the email, Michigan State strongly encouraged “all members of the campus community currently in China on university-sponsored business to return home.” 

“The outbreak is having a significant impact on travel to and from China as well as restricting services such as health care, domestic transportation and food service,” according to the email.

While Michigan State continues to take precautions, there still are no confirmed cases in the state of Michigan, nor are there any suspected cases at MSU according to the email. This is also the second time the university has addressed the ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus.

Weismantel and Maybank's email recommends washing hands often, avoiding contact with those who are sick and cleaning commonly touched areas.

The State News also compiled a list of flu shot locations near campus in October 2018.

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